St. Paul – Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced $2.7 million in Robotics Teams and STEM Internships Program grant awards to eight nonprofit organizations and education institutions across the state.

This competitive grant program, offered through DEED's Office of Youth Development, provides grants to organizations to support high school robotics teams, help prepare youth for STEM careers and create internships for high school students to work at private companies in STEM fields.

"STEM careers remain in high demand and these skills have applications in many areas – from medical technology companies to manufacturing organizations that are increasingly turning to robotics and automation technology that require skilled workers to operate high-tech machinery," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Robotics programs provide our future workforce with hands-on opportunities to gain skills and comfort with technology, and early internship opportunities help students set goals and establish plans for their future education and careers."

"DEED's Office of Youth Development supports youth employment, training and education programs that provide vital experience and guidance to help young people – especially low-income and at-risk youth – succeed and acquire critical skills for current and future workplace needs," said DEED Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development Marc Majors. "Robotics team programs not only expose youth to technology and design in a purposeful and engaging way, but also help young people develop valuable teamwork, planning and strategic skills that are essential to their future career development."

Robotics Teams and STEM Internships Program grant award recipients are:

Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES) – $100,000

This project will establish a robotics team at Johnson High School in St. Paul, which serves primarily Latino and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) students and a high percentage of first-generation students. Student will design, build and learn about robotics and participate in robotics competitions. The program will also equip students with employment readiness and financial literacy skills and support them in obtaining summer internships in STEM fields. Contact: Ruby Lee, Rlee@clues.org

High Tech Kids – $730,000

An Eagan-headquartered nonprofit organization serving thousands of students across the state each year, this project will support existing and new high school FIRST Tech Challenge robotics programs. This includes providing training for new FIRST Tech Challenge teams and offering team scholarships to low-income high school student FIRST Tech Challenge teams and teams comprised of students of color. The project also includes a STEM internship program consisting of micro-internships, immersive summer internships and project-based learning opportunities in partnership with private sector technology companies. Contact: Cheryl Moeller, cheryl@hightechkids.org

Minnesota STEM Partnership – $240,000

This program, headquartered in St. Paul and offering robotics hub locations near St. Paul Central High School and in North Minneapolis, will leverage its existing partnerships with schools serving BIPOC students in the Twin Cities metro area and Rochester to provide training and support for up to 15 high school robotics teams. The project will also establish an internship program, including identifying STEM companies to host high school-aged interns and provide those students with professional development, training and stipends. Contact: Michael Wulf, execdir@mnstempartners.org

Owatonna Robotics Booster Club – $80,000

This project will support opportunities for students in the Owatonna area to participate in robotics teams and competitions. Students will also be offered computer programming and Computer Aided Design (CAD) classes and one-on-one mentoring from STEM professionals. The project will also partner with local STEM businesses to create student internships.
Contact: Eric Krueger, owatonnaroboticsbooster@gmail.com

Pequot Lakes Public Schools – $120,000

Serving students in Crow Wing County, these funds will help the Pequot Lakes High School robotics team purchase equipment and supplies required for robotics competitions and cover team travel expenses for those events. Pequot Lakes Public Schools will also expand internships for high school students to work in STEM fields, including the payment of student stipends. Contact: Kurt Stumpf, kstumpf@isd186.org

Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. – $220,000

With locations in Marshall, Montevideo and Worthington serving surrounding counties, this project will help high school robotics teams participate in competitions and prepare students for STEM careers through hands-on career exploration, mentorship, career guidance and work-based learning opportunities. High school students will receive career assessments, career guidance, labor market information, interview preparation, work-readiness training and up to a 150-hour paid STEM-related internship with a private company. Contact: Carrie Bendix, cbendix@swmnpic.org

St. Cloud Technical & Community College – $230,000

This project will provide financial support to new and existing robotics teams across Minnesota. It will also provide opportunities for students to complete STEM career explorations and create internship opportunities for high school students at established employer partners in the manufacturing sector. Contact: Katie Frank, katarina.frank@sctcc.edu

St. Cloud State University – $980,000

This project will support 40 high school robotics teams, comprising approximately 800 students, in Greater Minnesota through direct team funding support, including access to practice fields and advanced equipment through SCSU's Technology, Engineering & Career Network. The project also includes career awareness workshops and events for teams and students. The project's student internships component includes mentorship training and support for both the students and their company mentors. Contact: Kurt Helgeson, krhelgeson@stcloudstate.edu