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Coaches urge more support for Harper Creek robotics as program costs outpace grants
Summary
Robotics coaches and parents told the board that running a competitive robotics team costs far more than the typical grant; they described local fundraising and a new boosters organization and requested district attention to competitiveness and travel funding.
Coaches and parents addressed the Harper Creek Board of Education on Feb. 10, urging greater local support for competitive robotics after describing program costs and fundraising efforts.
Peter Eckman, a head coach, said running a high-school robotics team commonly costs between $18,000 and $26,000 per season while the Michigan Department of Education grant a team may qualify for typically provides $6,000–$8,000. "Just to pay for our two events that we get to go each year…putting a robot on the carpet to compete is $6,000. It has no money towards a robot," Eckman said, explaining that travel, registration and parts are additional expenses.
Eckman described the formation of the Harper Creek Robotics Boosters, a nonprofit intended to raise funds for robotics and other STEM activities in the community, and described volunteer mentor staffing, scholarship needs and the competitive nature of the program. Doug Kachman, a parent and volunteer, emphasized robotics' role in exposing students to teamwork and technical careers and noted the program’s success at state and regional competitions.
Coaches asked the board to consider what additional support the district might provide to help teams reach higher competition levels and reduce barriers for students. Board members thanked the presenters and acknowledged the administrators who had visited the robotics workspace.
