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Chrysler Foundation Provides Grants To Michigan First Robotics Teams

By Edward Cardenas

AUBURN HILLS (CBS Detroit) - The Chrysler Foundation is providing more than $250,000 in grants to FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge teams across the country including Michigan.

The 47 grants, valued at $250,250, are intended to help students "discover and develop a passion for science, technology, engineering and math," organizers stated.

"Chrysler Group's ability to compete and succeed in the future depends in part upon our ability to maintain the pipeline of students that pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers," said John Nigro, Head of NAFTA Product Development – Chrysler Group LLC, in a release. "The real-world experience that students gain through their participation in FIRST is invaluable in preparing students for the future."

The grants range from $750 to $5,000 per team, and allow nearly 1,100 middle and high school students to participate in regional and district competitions.

"The Chrysler Foundation is proud to play a role in helping students discover the rewards and excitement of education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math," said Jody Trapasso, Senior Vice President - External Affairs, Chrysler Group LLC and President of The Chrysler Foundation, in a release. "We are equally proud of our employees who generously give their time and skills to help mentor students and serve as competition coordinators."

Metro Detroit FIRST Robotics Competition schools which received a $5,000 grant include:

  • Ann Arbor Huron High School – The RatPack, 830
  • Berkley, Hazel Park and Shrine Catholic High Schools – Da Bears, 247
  • Birmingham Seaholm and Birmingham Groves High Schools – Automation Nation, 2960
  • Bishop Foley Catholic High School (Madison Heights) – The Foley Freeze, 910
  • Bloomfield Hills High School – Bionic Black Hawks, 2834
  • Brandon and Holly High Schools – Truck Town Thunder, 68
  • Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School (Marine City) – RoboSapiens, 4779
  • Chelsea High School – Technical Difficulties, 1502
  • Grand Blanc High School – EngiNERDs, 2337
  • Hartland High School – Electro Eagles, 3536
  • Imlay City High School – Spartronics, 5048
  • Lake Orion High School – The Dragons, 302
  • Macomb Academy of Arts and Sciences (Armada) – Fighting Pi, 1718
  • Marysville High School – ViBots, 5167
  • Notre Dame Preparatory (Auburn Hills) – Killer Bees, 33
  • Oakland Tech Northeast (Pontiac) – The Juggernauts, 1
  • OSMTech Academy at Clarkston High School – Team RUSH, 27
  • Our Lady of the Lakes High School (Waterford) – Lakers, 5053
  • Oxford Community Schools (Oxford) – TORC, 2137
  • Pontiac High School – The Wings of Fire, 51
  • Rochester Adams and Stoney Creek High Schools (Rochester Hills) – Adambots, 245
  • Rochester High School (Rochester Hills) – The FEDS, 201
  • Skyline High School (Ann Arbor) – Eagle Imperium, 3322
  • South Lake High School (St. Clair Shores) – The Mighty CavBots, 5214
  • South Lyon Community Schools and South Lyon Robotics – The Flying Toasters, 3641
  • Southeastern High School of Technology (Detroit) – JungleBots, 4851
  • Stevenson, Henry Ford II and Utica High Schools – Crevolution, 2851
  • Walled Lake Schools – The Monsters, 308
  • Warren Consolidated Schools – Steel Armadillos, 818
  • Waterford Kettering High School – The Captains, 3098

The Chrysler Foundation awarded a $750 grant to FIRST Tech Challenge teams in Metro Detroit including:

  • Bloomfield Hills Middle School – Mechanical Monkeys, 7047
  • Home Middle School (Fenton) – Lightning Boltz, 5954
  • Life Learning Community School (Ann Arbor) – The GearCats, 7305
  • Linden Middle School – Battle Blazers, 7031
  • Our Lady of the Lakes (Waterford) – OLL Laker Bots, 8133

FIRST in Michigan will also receive a $2,500 grant to support its FIRST LEGO League program, which introduces students in grades 4-8 to science and technology.

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