Bill > S360

This bill establishes an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program within the Massachusetts Department of Education. The grants are intended to assist school districts, Horace Mann, and commonwealth charter schools with developing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and robotics programs to help students succeed academically, prepare them for STEM and robotics careers, and encourage the voluntary expansion of existing STEM and robotics programs in the state. The grants will prioritize schools without existing robotics programs, particularly those in certain counties, and require applicants to commit to running a team registered with one of several specified robotics organizations or approved by the commissioner. The commissioner is also required to annually evaluate the programs and provide technical assistance to schools seeking to replicate the funded programs.