Promoting early interest and enthusiasm for science and technology is a high priority for Softec, so it has made cash grants to high-school robotics programs for many years, totaling almost $14,000 to date, $3,900 last year alone. (See the awardees for the years 2009/10, and 2010/11, and links to their websites. See some of the world-wide competitions in which they participate!)
At the beginning of each academic year we contact all known public and private high schools all the way from Paso Robles to Lompoc, applications are received, and the Board of Directors reviews and decides on the awards.
Presentations and live robot demos by the teams are made at Softec's annual Robotics Showcase dinner meeting. This year's event will be on October 26, 2011, 5:30-8:00pm (more details!), at a special venue just for robotics: the pool-side Clubhouse room at Kennedy Fitness on Tank Farm Road—so we can see even the underwater ones in live action! (See photos and videos of the teams and robots from the December 8, 2010 event.)
This year we are again inviting ALL high schools (public and private) in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties, that either have, or would like to start, a robotics program, to apply for a grant.
We are especially looking to help start programs in schools where there has not been one. In addition to a possible cash seed award as noted above, we can assist you in starting a program at your school by putting you in touch with the existing programs at other Central Coast schools.
IF YOU ARE A SCHOOL wishing to apply for a grant, the 2011/12 application form is available for download here.
Please email all responses to Kim Mistretta, Robotics Support Chair, at Kim@LawOfficesOfKimMistretta.com. All requests must be received no later than 5:00pm FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011 to be considered.
Our funds are limited, and as each program may differ in terms of students participating, other support, need, and other factors, the amounts of grant we may feel appropriate, if any at all, may differ. All determinations will be made by our Board of Directors or committee thereof, whose decision will be final. Distributions will be made by mid-November.
IF YOU ARE A DONOR or SUPPORTER:
All these excellent programs will benefit from any amount of support from any sources of any kind. These can include of course cash, but also any kind of donations of tools, equipment, parts, supplies, or simply your time, to mentor, coach, or help in any other way you might be able. Therefore, Softec urges you to contact the programs directly per contact information above, and offer anything you or your business is able to do.
Also, Softec is seeking additional funds with the goal of being able to increase our awards this year to a total of $10,000. We would also like to have sufficient funds at some point as to allow grants to Junior High programs as well.
NEW: Contributions to robotics can also now be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution (in addition to any other available basis for deductibility such as a business expense), through Softec’s Technology Education Fund with the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, a 501c(3) exempt organization.
See further details on how to donate to the Softec robotics-support program. Please contact us with your pledges no later than October 30, 2011.
For further information on the Softec robotics support program, contact Chair Kim Mistretta (805-781-2600).