Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Carmaker Backs Middle and High School Robotics

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 01/11/17

Carmaker Backs Middle ad High School Robotics 

The American automaker behind Chrysler and Fiat cars is investing bigtime in Michigan middle grade and high school students. The charitable arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC has awarded $226,000 in grants to 57 robotics teams and programs to help students in those schools cover some of the costs of participating in robotics competitions.

The grants range in size from $400 to $4,725 and are intended to cover expenses such as registration fees, parts and materials as well as team apparel associated with the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge programs. Both are run by the organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people in science and technology.

Robotics teams for the older students have six weeks to come together as a team, raise additional funds, design their team brand and build and program their robots to compete in the contests. The younger students focus their efforts on designing, building, programming and learning how to operate their robots for the challenges. Both teams participate in local kickoff events and then move onto to more regional challenges, culminating in FIRST Championships in April.

FCA US employs more than 35,000 people in the state of Michigan, many of whom "give generously of their time and skills to help mentor students and serve as competition coordinators," said Lesley Slavitt, who directs the FCA Foundation, in a statement.

One of those volunteers is Phil Jansen, head of product development for FCA-North America. "The real-world experience that students gain through their participation in FIRST programs is invaluable in preparing students for the future," he said. "We are proud to partner with an organization that taps into such formidable minds and encourages deeper levels of ingenuity."

The foundation also donated to the FIRST Lego League program, whose team members research a real-world problem, such as food safety, and develop their solutions using LEGO MINDSTORMS robots.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • education funding and graduation symbols on wooden dice

    What Is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and How Will It Work?

    The federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) is a new source of funding for education that could benefit 90% of students in states that have opted in to the program. However, some confusion and misconceptions exist surrounding details of the program, including which programs may qualify, how parents can apply for scholarships, and how public school students can benefit.

  • AI user wearing orange safety vest

    More Oversight: California Governor Proposes Independent Watchdogs Within AI Safety System

    California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a new model of artificial intelligence regulation that would give independent organizations a formal role in evaluating the safety claims made by AI giants.

  • cloud infrastructure diagrams and security alerts

    Microsoft Expands Protections and Controls for Sovereign Cloud

    Microsoft is introducing new tools within its sovereign cloud offerings designed to give organizations tighter control over where their data resides, who can access it, and how critical systems operate, especially in light of AI becoming a bigger part of enterprise infrastructure.

  • broken digital lock and glowing chain

    Check Point Researchers: AI Has Crossed into the Live Attack Chain

    AI is moving beyond assisting cybercriminals and beginning to operate within live attacks, according to a recent report from Check Point Research. The technology is making sophisticated capabilities faster and more accessible while creating new security risks for businesses deploying their own AI systems.