Bill > HF504

This bill establishes a new robotics grant program within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) collaborative initiative to support robotics education in Iowa schools. The program will provide grants to school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to help offset costs associated with robotics teams, including stipends for team members, fees and supplies for establishing and maintaining teams, and expenses related to robotics competitions. The collaborative initiative will develop application processes, deadlines, and award criteria for the grants, with the explicit requirement that the funds supplement, not replace, existing school funding for similar purposes. The bill appropriates $400,000 to the Department of Education for this grant program in fiscal year 2025-2026. Additionally, the bill allocates $100,000 to the University of Northern Iowa to develop a public-private partnership to support the Iowa regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competition, with the requirement that matching funds be provided by private partners. This legislation aims to encourage and support robotics education and competitive opportunities for students across Iowa.

Education

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF504