1. Overview of organization: (a) Establishment date is January 1, 2018. At the end of 2017, Mark went to see his nephew participate in a robotics club based on VEX and was amazed. Mark researched this, and found out that this is a world-wide system, and that many counties around us participate. We thought this would be good for our county, and reached out to to our community for people who might be interested. We originally thought there might be 10 or 15 people that would be interested, but the first class we had 30 people, the second class had 40, and currently have 50 people signed up. We want to make sure we have enough kits for the kids in our class. We have already purchased one kit ourselves. (b) Principal services, purposes, and mission. Our service is providing robotic education to our 4th through 8th graders in Starke County. The purpose is to enhance our community and youth's future. Our mission is to introduce robotics to our youth to inspire interest in this STEAM driven workshops. As well as enhancing teamwork, problem solving, and future community enhancement. (c) What population (age, geography, income level, other) does your organization serve? (d) Corporate ownership and formal affiliations. We are working with Starke County Chamber/Tourism and 4H and Knox Library and WKVI. (e) Collaboration, partnerships, and joint ventures as it relates to this project. WKVI, Knox Library, Starke County 4-H, Starke County Chamber & Tourism Starke County Robotics has partnered with the Starke County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is willing to be our fiscal agent. The robotics program plans on hosting several events during the year that will bring in many people to our community for an entire day, and the Chamber is interested in working together to see this to fruition. 4
2. Describe your project in more detail: (a) sources of verification can you site to verify this need? (i.e. statistics, regulations, surveys, etc.) There are so many wonderful things for our kids to get involved in within the county. But most of the things are sports related. We are addressing the technical end that is not being meet in the 4-8th grades. This program is recognized globally and follows the STEAM curriculum. This teaches hands on problem solving, science, math, art, teamwork, collaboration, research and more. When we had our first class to see the interest we thought we hoped for 10-15 kids. a couple days after our first class we had 50 signed up. This number will only grow as the word gets out we are doing this. Our goal in the future is get this in the schools as a class. (b) Describe how this project/program will address the identified need. (This is an opportunity for you to explain how your program will work). We will work with youth to apply STEAM principles as we design, build, and program robots for educational and worldwide competition problem solving. (c) Descrive the organization s ability to carry out this project We meet once a week at the Knox library from 4 to 5 PM. Mark and Tabi together have experience in technology and teaching. We follow VEX curriculum, and the Knox library allows us to use their 8 laptops for the programming side. We reach out to kids through wkvi and flyers sent to the schools from the SC Chamber office. (d) Descrive your proposed timeline. This program runs on a yearly cycle. The robotic kits we wish to buy are a one time purchase and will be used over again every year. 5
3. Please explain the expected benefits of this grant: -up assessment, some benchmark by which you can chart your progress, etc.) While we are not directly affiliated with any school system, the main way we can measure benefit and impact is through grades and performance at school. We and the school mutually reinforce math, science, and critical thinking skills that will be easily recognizable. Another way to measure success will be in how the kids approach tasks that require problem solving and group collaberation. (b) Who will be served, benefited or impacted? Quantify. First and foremost, 4th through 8th graders. Secondly, our community. Finally, our businesses as we begin to host events several times a year that will attract several hundred visitors for day-long stays. will your organization benefit? We have the opportunity to offer something to the youth in our community. 4. If application is for a new service, pilot project, survey or study, explain the source of funds to carry on the project (if any will be needed) after any these funds? If funded, do you plan to ask the Foundation for support for this project again? This grant supplies hardware for this group to build the robots. This is a one time fee that can cover many years of use. Through use 6
5. will you be collaborating with other organizations? There is a small Lego group that meets is with the Starke County Youth Club. They are doing something entirely different then we are. We are working with Knox Library, Starke County Chamber & Tourism, Starke County Schools, and Starke County 4-H Club. 6. Describe past and current efforts within the community to address the identified needs. There are so many wonderful things for our kids to get involved in within the county. But most of the things are sports related. We are addressing the technical end that is not being meet in the 4-8th grades. This program is recognized globally and follows the STEAM curriculum. This teaches hands on problem solving, science, math, art, teamwork, collaboration, research and more. 7. What public relations methods will be used to communicate to your donors/members/supporters any grant support you receive from the Foundation? WKVI, newspaper, Facebook, all of our YouTube videos, website, print media. The Foundation will also appear on team t-shirts. 8. Do you have any legal issues associated with the project? If yes, briefly explain. None. 7
SUMMARY OF HOW THIS PROJECT (ACTIVITY) WILL BE FINANCED Note: We place a lower priority on projects where Starke County Community Foundation is the sole funder. 1. Source of Funds Amount % of Total Project From federal, state, city or county government (specify) From other foundations (specify if these are secured or pending) Public contributions or donations Loans Your organization s contributions Other sources: club fund raisers (kids involved in car washes, etc) Requested from Community Foundation TOTAL SOURCES OF FUNDS $ 600.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 3,000.00 $ 4,600.00 0 2. Project/Activity Expenses: How the project money will be spent. Please place an * next to the items for which you are requesting funding from the Community Foundation. Also list items from top to bottom in order of importance to the success of the project. Item Amount % of Total Project VEX IQ robotics kits $ 4,600.00 100 TOTAL PROJECT/ACTIVITY EXPENSES: $ 4,600.00 100 Attach copies of best estimates, contractor proposals or any information that will help the committee understand your project. (one copy) 3. Additional Information Please list other organizations where you have applied for funding: We have not applied to any yet but plan on applying for Starke United funds in May. We also plan to apply with the Robotic Education & Competition (REC) for another kit and a single team registration fee. Fundraisers: No fundraisers yet, but making plans to have some. REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS: If your organization is a 501 (c) (3), attach a copy of your IRS Determination letter. (1 copy) List of names and addresses of your board of directors and staff if applicable. If you do not have a board or staff, please attach a list of names and addresses of members of your organization. (1 copy) Copy of your organization s operating budget and copy of your program/project budget, only if applicable. (1 copy) 8
The picture below is from the second class on January 29 th, 2018. We were learning some STEM and robotics vocabulary words.
Below are several screenshots from the Vex Robotics web site that was taken on February 14 th, 2018. These describe the Super Kit and it s contents, as well as a picture of the parts in the kit. https://www.vexrobotics.com/228-2500.html