Youth robotics programs allow young learners to develop new skills, greater curiosity about how the world works, and an appetite for an exciting future in STEM.  Yet the costs of administrating these programs can limit the school districts and families who are able to participate. To help expand access, we intend to introduce legislation that would establish a grant fund to support youth robotics programs and increase participation, further positioning Pennsylvania as a state with the educational infrastructure to support growing industries and fields.
 
Over the last three decades, robotics teams have grown from curiosity to a full-blown phenomenon in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. Today, more than a million students and tens of thousands of teams compete via hands-on challenges that grow their engineering and problem-solving abilities, cultivate teamwork and collaboration, build confidence and capacity, and inspire students to work to improve our world, all while furthering their interest and education in STEM fields. In robotics competitions, teams are provided with parts and directives to build robots capable of performing different tasks, and successful teams advance from regional tournaments to national and international competitions for as far as their creativity and skill will take them.
 
While the benefits are clear, youth robotics programs are not always accessible to students who want to participate. To compete, teams must shoulder registration fees (most of which go toward the standard kits that are provided to participating teams), travel arrangements, coach and teacher stipends, competition entry costs, and additional parts and fabrications that go beyond the materials provided.
 
Our legislation will establish a grant program within the PA Department of Education supporting Pennsylvania’s current K–12 robotics teams and making it possible for new schools and students to participate. To receive funds, teams from eligible schools and intermediate units will be required to provide a 25% match of funds provided, establish a partnership with a local sponsor, formulate a budget, and compete in at least one in-person competition where comradery and competition abound.
 
Teams in Pennsylvania are already showing their prowess. In 2024, the RoboLancers team from Philadelphia reached the FIRST Robotics Championship and received the prestigious Impact Award, a recognition bestowed upon the team that best presents a model for other teams to emulate both on and off the field. And Upper St. Clair High School is home to numerous successful robotics teams, including TeraBridges, who finished eighth and earned the 1st Place Connect Award (a judged honor recognizing the team’s exceptional outreach efforts and industry engagement) at the FIRST Tech World Championship in 2025.
 
The skills that our students are developing not only provide valuable opportunities to further their STEM education and personal growth, but they are also preparing them for active participation in high-demand industries. Medical sciences, heavy and advanced manufacturing, maritime, and engineering have all turned their sectors toward robotics, and this investment in our students will help our Commonwealth cultivate and retain the skilled workforce that these industries demand and show that Pennsylvania is ready to meet the moment—with a workforce that has not only the right skills but also a love of the game!
 
Please join us in cosponsoring this bill to support the brilliance of our students and the capacity of our Commonwealth.