We have just learned that the State Legislature has again appropriated a large sum of money for the formation of robotics teams in public schools.  Unfortunately, private, home, and CareerTech schools are not eligible, only public schools.  We are anticipating appropriations and individual school grants similar to those in the past.  However, we may not know the details for another few days.  More than likely, NASA will again be making huge grants, also.

 

Consequently, we need to spread the good news!  Please contact any teacher, principal, or superintendent that you might know and inform them about two information sessions we have scheduled for August 7 in Oklahoma City and August 14 in Broken Arrow.  The attachment will provide the details.

 

Our state and nation are suffering due to a lack of students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  We can help address this problem along with creating opportunities for our students to pursue awesome careers.

 

Through the efforts of many of you, we have grown from four high schools participating in 2005 to approximately 150 total schools participating in Oklahoma at this time (about 80 middle schools included).  However, this is a very small percentage of those students who have not yet been offered this terrific opportunity.

 

Let me know if you have questions.

 

6219 S Oswego Ave,  Tulsa, OK 74136-1530

918-496-7774 H;  918-691-3285 C

SUBJECT:      FIRST Robotics Informational Sessions   Interested Teachers and Mentors should plan on attending one of the following sessions on starting a FIRST Robotics team in the high school:

Session I – OKC:   7 August 2010 (Saturday); 1:00-3:00 pm

            Location: Mount St Mary HS, 2801 S. Shartel Ave., OKC, OK   (Near Shartel and SW 27^th);   Room 212, (Host – Margaret Whitaker contact number is 405-919-6307)

Session II – Tulsa Area:   14 August 2010 (Saturday);  1:00-3:00 pm

            Location:         Broken Arrow HS, 1901 E. Albany, Broken Arrow, OK (Near 193^rd and 61^st street (Albany);  Room B201 (in the administration building closest to the football stadium) (Host – Laura Achireddy contact number is 918-798-7442)

 Topics for both sessions include:

 ● – State and national grant funding options, team formation, pre-registration, mentor recruitment,  schedule of events, planning and scheduling, promotion, and fund raising.

● – Presentations by experienced team leaders and mentors will be included.

 Please RSVP to: Dr. Jack Sellers, sellersj@swbell.net or call 918-691-3285.

You may also contact Harold Holley, FIRST Regional Director, hholley5@suddenlink.net or call 405-747-6463.

Oklahoma City Regional Competition was March 26-27.  The Third Annual FIRST Robotics Regional Competition was a resounding success!  Fifty Five teams (public, private, home school, and CareerTech high school students) competed in the Cox Convention Center March 26-27.   For those of you that were unable to attend, see the video on YouTube for a glimpse of the action.   Please contact our Regional Director, Harold Holley, hholley5@suddenlink.net   for more information.  “2010 Oklahoma FIRST Robotics” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrhOeLJy4qU

WEBSITE:  www.usfirst.org