Board approves application for $15,000 robotics grant; students showcase VEX IQ program

The MSD Steuben County Board of Trustees on April 21 approved administration’s request to apply for a state robotics grant estimated at about $15,000 to expand elementary robotics programming across the district.

Dr. Reilu said Mr. Winslow has been preparing the grant so all four elementary schools can buy additional robots, cover competition fees and transportation, and pay stipends for robotics coaches. "We anticipate that being right at $15,000 that we'll be requesting," Dr. Reilu said. The MSD of Steuben County Education Foundation has agreed to provide a 20–25% match if the district applies.

Earlier in the meeting, Mrs. Stroud and several Henry Park students described their VEX IQ teams, explaining they followed a 186-step build process and hosted a small competition in which family members attended. Student speakers said the project helped them learn leadership, problem solving and teamwork. "We used our Google Classroom to view the 186-step PDF and a 3D viewing slide to complete our robots," a student said.

The board voted to approve applying for the grant. Administration said the application will fund equipment, competition fees, transportation, and coach stipends if awarded.

Next steps: administration will submit the state grant application and coordinate the Foundation match and logistics if the grant is awarded.