Citizen Portal
Sign In

Students and industry advocates ask MSDE to study expanding robotics and STEM access statewide

Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee · April 8, 2026

Loading...

AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

HB531 would direct MSDE to study STEM and robotics efforts and the feasibility of competitive/varsity robotics; student FTC teams and community leaders said costs and uneven access limit participation and urged state-supported study and resources.

Delegate Wu presented House Bill 5-31, which directs the Maryland State Department of Education to study how to expand STEM and competitive robotics opportunities across public schools. The study would examine existing efforts, access gaps, and resource needs to inform potential program expansion.

Members of an all-girls FTC team and community leaders described the time and cost burdens of competitive robotics: one student estimated annual team expenses could reach $15,000 and noted travel and equipment create equity gaps. Ed Mullen, executive director of Let's Go and a former tech executive, said competitive robotics develops teamwork, technical skills, and career pathways tied to statewide workforce needs.

Supporters urged the committee to authorize the study to identify funding models, equitable access mechanisms, and potential partnerships with nonprofits and industry. Delegate Wu said the current MSDE robotics grant (described in testimony as $350,000 across roughly 1,419 schools) does not cover participation costs or outreach needs.