Sec. 99h.
(1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 for 2015-2016 for competitive grants to districts that provide pupils in grades 7 to 12 with expanded opportunities to improve mathematics, science, and technology skills by participating in events hosted by a science and technology development program known as FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology) robotics.
(2) A district applying for a FIRST tech challenge or FIRST robotics competition program grant shall submit an application in a form and manner determined by the department. To be eligible for a grant, a district shall demonstrate in its application that the district has established a partnership for the purposes of the FIRST program with at least 1 sponsor, business entity, higher education institution, or technical school, shall submit a spending plan, and shall pay at least 25% of the cost of the FIRST robotics program.
(3) The department shall distribute the grant funding under this section for the following purposes:
(a) Grants to districts to pay for stipends of $1,500.00 for 1 coach per team, distributed as follows:
(i) Not more than 500 stipends for coaches of high school teams, including existing teams.
(ii) Not more than 100 stipends for coaches of middle school or junior high teams, including existing teams.
(iii) If the requests for stipends exceed the numbers of stipends allowed under subparagraphs (i) and (ii), and if there is funding remaining unspent under subdivisions (b) and (c), the department shall use that remaining unspent funding for grants to districts to pay for additional stipends in a manner that expands the geographical distribution of teams.
(b) Grants to districts for event registrations, materials, travel costs, and other expenses associated with the preparation for and attendance at FIRST tech challenge and FIRST robotics competitions. Each grant recipient shall provide a local match from other private or local funds for the funds received under this subdivision equal to at least 50% of the costs of participating in an event. The department shall set maximum grant amounts under this subdivision in a manner that maximizes the number of teams that will be able to receive funding.
(c) Grants to districts for awards to teams that advance to the state and world championship competitions. The department shall determine an equal amount per team for those teams that advance to the state championship and a second equal award amount to those teams that advance to the world championship.
(4) The funds allocated under this section are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2015-2016 are carried forward into 2016-2017. The purpose of the work project is to continue to implement the projects described under subsection (1). The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2018.
History: Add. 2013, Act 60, Eff. Oct. 1, 2013 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 116, Imd. Eff. Apr. 11, 2014 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 196, Eff. Oct. 1, 2014 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 85, Eff. Oct. 1, 2015
Last modified: October 10, 2016