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Committee backs student‑written robotics grant program to fund school teams
Summary
The House Education Committee passed a bill to create a statewide robotics grant program for grades 6–12, after testimony from students who helped write the measure. The program would be administered by the Department of Education and require a 25% local match; sponsors said it would use non‑general revenue funds.
The House Education Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 391, a bill to establish a statewide grant program to help schools create or expand robotics teams for grades 6 through 12.
The bill, introduced with testimony from student members of local robotics teams, would create a competitive grant administered by the Arkansas Department of Education. Committee testimony said the program would not use general revenue; teams receiving grants would be required to provide a 25% match. Sponsors said awards would help teams pay travel and competition costs and reduce the fundraising burden placed on teachers who mentor teams.
Harding Academy and Mountain Home students — several of whom helped draft the bill — told the committee their hands‑on experience in robotics gave them engineering, programming and career‑readiness skills. Annalie Brooks, identified as chair of the outreach department for team 3937 Breakaway, said the program “equip[s] students to go straight into the STEM workforce.” Dylan Abraham, identified as a strategy lead for team 16, described opportunities the program brings to students from smaller schools.
Supporters told the committee that many robotics mentors volunteer time outside contract hours and that state funding would let teachers focus more on instruction. Sponsors said the typical team budget for travel to major competitions was “roughly $20,000 a year,” citing student testimony, and that the grant would reduce reliance on local fundraising.
There were no members of the public signed to oppose the bill. A voice vote was taken; the chairman called “aye” and the bill was passed by the committee.
Committee members encouraged legislators and the public to attend local competitions; sponsors said students from Arkansas will compete at national and international events.
Votes at the committee were taken by voice; no roll call was recorded in the transcript.
