The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced $2.7 million in Robotics Teams and STEM Internships Program grants to eight nonprofit organizations and education institutions.
This competitive grant program provides grants to organizations to support high school robotics teams, help prepare youth for STEM careers, and create internships for high school students to work at private companies in STEM fields.
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math.
“STEM careers remain in high demand and these skills have applications in many areas – from medical technology companies to manufacturing organizations that are increasingly turning to robotics and automation technology that require skilled workers to operate high-tech machinery,” Commissioner Matt Varilek said in a statement. “Robotics programs provide our future workforce with hands-on opportunities to gain skills and comfort with technology, and early internship opportunities help students set goals and establish plans for their future education and careers.”
Robotics Teams and STEM Internships Program grant award recipients include two Saint Paul high school programs:
• Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio: $100,000 to establish a robotics team at Johnson High School in St. Paul. Students will design, build and learn about robotics and participate in robotics competitions.
• Minnesota STEM Partnership: $240,000 for the program to offer robotics hub locations near St. Paul Central High School and in North Minneapolis. It will partner with schools in the Twin Cities metro area and Rochester to provide training for up to 15 high school robotics teams.