The robotics team at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT) recently received a one-time grant from the Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer, in the amount of $3000. The money supports Team 61, The Intimidator’s participation in the FIRST Robotics competitions to enhance their skills in science and engineering.

Bayer Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities in which Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education, and community development projects. This grant will allow students to take part in FIRST Robotics educational programs and competitions. FIRST enables teams of students to compete with others in building, designing and programming their own robots to perform preassigned tasks, giving students a chance to get involved with real-world engineering.

“As a Bayer Fund grant recipient, Team 61 will enhance their skills in science and engineering,” Robotics Team Advisor Michael Norton said. “Our students will participate in FIRST competitions in March utilizing the Bayer Fund funding at the 2023 NE District SE Mass Event FIRST Robotics Competition in Bridgewater and the Western NE Event in Springfield.

Bayer Fund’s sponsorship of FIRST Robotics teams continues the nonprofit’s intentional support of programs that improve STEM education. Over the past five years, Bayer Fund has contributed over $35 million to STEM outreach efforts.

“The FIRST Robotics program helps provide the necessary skills for young students to become STEM leaders,” Bayer Fund President Al Mitchell said. “This program not only inspires innovation, it provides life capabilities such as communication and self-confidence. Bayer Fund is proud to provide grants to student teams to encourage their development into future scientists, engineers and computer programmers.”