H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 7.23 of S.L. 2023-134 establishes the Educational and Competitive After-School Robotics Grant Program (Program) to promote after-school programs for robotics education and competition and to motivate students to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). All public school units (PSUs) are eligible to apply to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for a grant to develop an educational and competitive after school robotics program with a robotics partner. A robotics partner is a third party entity that is approved by DPI as meeting certain criteria demonstrating that adequate support will be provided.

DPI must develop and publish criteria, guidelines, and required documentation to be submitted to apply for the Program in the upcoming school year, including evidence of a robotics partner relationship and a proposed budget on the following schedule: