The New Hampshire Department of Education Responds to the Overwhelming Response of the Robotics Education Fund

During the session that finished up last June, the legislature created the Robotics Education Fund to help advance robotics and STEM education across the state. The grant window under the legislation extended from September 1 – 30, 2017. That period wrapped up over the weekend and the response from New Hampshire schools has been overwhelming.Grant applications were received from 97 schools for over $475,000. The Robotics Education Fund, however, only received an appropriation of $375,000.

“This is a great problem to have,” stated Commissioner Frank Edelblut. “I could not be more thrilled to see the enthusiasm for robotics and STEM education opportunities for our students in the schools. The skills learned through these robotics programs will help the students well into the future. And, we have a solution to the problem of an oversubscribed grant fund.”

Heather Gage, the Director of the Division of Educational Improvement, worked with our federal partners to make sure we can fill the higher than expected demand for robotics grants. In addition, we will be able to extend the grant window until November 15 and open the grant program up to schools that had existing robotics programs, as long as the new grants do not supplant already existing programs.

Commenting on the extension of the grant opportunities, Director Gage stated, “One of the targeted uses of Title IV Part A federal grant funds is to improve student academic achievement, including robotics and STEM initiatives. Use of the federal grant funds in coordination with state Robotics Education Fund is a perfect match. We are excited to be able to support these great learning opportunities in more schools.”

Gage mentioned that grants under Title IV Part A also have a broader application, so that schools will be able to also focus on areas such as arts-based learning initiatives, civics education, personalized learning experiences for students, career pathways, dual-enrollment programs, and behavior and wellness programs. A grant application to support these programs will be released in November.

The Department of Education will be posting a new robotics and STEM grant application on line next week and schools are encouraged to apply. For more information regarding the Robotics Education Development Program.