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Bobcat Robotics students ask board for continued funding, space for STEM as team expands to two squads
Summary
South Windsor High School robotics students briefed the board on competitive results, the addition of a second rookie team to expand access, an increase in operating expenses tied to travel and registration, and requests for midterm funding and facility upgrades to support STEM programs.
Students from the Bobcat Robotics program told the South Windsor Board of Education the team has grown substantially and now operates two competitive squads, and they asked the board to consider modest budget increases and facility improvements to support STEM learning.
Student speakers (including junior captain Taser Shunker and other members) said the program has expanded from about 80 students in 2023 to roughly 140 interested students, credited volunteer mentors from local companies and national sponsors, and outlined recent competitive results: a top‑six finish at a New England district event and an 11th‑place showing at the World Championship.
"Every single year we get a new game that we have to design and build a robot for," student presenter Taser Shunker said, describing the program’s structure and subteams (programming, electrical, business, manufacturing and engineering). Students explained that costs rose when the team added a second squad, and they listed major expense categories as travel, materials and registration.
The students thanked school funding and external sponsors (they named NASA, HSB, Travelers and local partners) and asked the board to consider midterm increases to robotics funding and future school renovations that would include dedicated STEM labs and robotics facilities. "We’re hoping you guys will consider future school renovations that can accommodate STEM labs and private facilities for robotics," a student said.
Board members asked about sponsorship relationships and program outcomes. Mr. Armstrong asked whether corporate partners were long‑standing or newly contacted; students said the program combines longstanding relationships, direct outreach and parent/employer connections. Mr. Marks, an alumnus of the team, praised the mentorship and noted many alumni continued into STEM fields.
Students provided competition dates and invited the board to attend district events in March and the Hartford event in late March. No formal board action was taken at the meeting; students asked for consideration during upcoming budget discussions.
