The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA US LLC, today announced $250,000 in grants to FIRST Robotics Competition (grades 9-12) and FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7-12) teams in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The grants will offset the costs associated with items such as registration fees, parts and materials and team apparel for an estimated 650 students.

“The real-world experience that students gain through their participation in FIRST programs is invaluable in preparing students for the future,” said John Nigro, Vice President – Product Development, FCA – North America. “We are equally proud of our employees who generously give their time and skills to help mentor students and serve as competition coordinators.”   

The FCA Foundation’s grant announcement coincides with the official start (Jan. 9) of the 2016 FIRST Robotics design and build season. During this six-week phase, teams will build, program and test robots with the guidance of adult mentors. It’s estimated that more than 3,100 teams comprised of 78,000+ students from around the world will compete for glory in First Stronghold, this year’s design challenge. Teams that win their regional qualifiers will compete for the 2016 FIRST Championship at the Edward Jones Dome, April 27-30 in St. Louis.

VIDEO: View teaser for the 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition game: https://youtu.be/FVLdJdoKK2E

“We are proud to support an organization that taps into such formidable minds and encourages deeper levels of ingenuity within the pillars of STEM.” said Lesley Slavitt, Head of Civic Engagement, FCA US LLC, and CEO of the FCA Foundation.

52 FIRST Robotics Competition teams received $4,800 grants from the FCA Foundation: 
(Format: School, Team Name, Team Number)

Arizona

Kingman High School

Bionic Bulldogs, 60

Illinois

Belvidere, Belvidere North &                                        

North Boone High School (4H)

Flying Monkeys, 3352

Indiana

Lewis Cass Jr.-Sr. High School (Walton)

Iron Kings, 5402

Northwestern High School (Kokomo)

CyberTooths, 3940

Western High School (Russiaville)

Panthertech, 292

Michigan

Almont High School

Shock and Awe-sum, 4961

Ann Arbor Huron High School

Rat Pack, 830

Avondale High School (Auburn Hills)

RoboJackets, 3538

Berkley, Hazel Park & Shrine Catholic High Schools

Da Bears, 247

Birmingham Seaholm & Birmingham Groves High Schools

Maple Machine, 2960

Bishop Foley Catholic High School (Madison Heights)               

Foley Freeze, 910

Bloomfield Hills High School

Bionic Black Hawks, 2834

Brandon & Holly High Schools

Truck Town Thunder, 68

Capac Community Schools

Metal and Soul, 2604

Cardinal Mooney Catholic (Marine City)

RoboSapiens, 4779

Chelsea High School

Technical Difficulties, 1502

Dakota & Chippewa Valley High Schools (Macomb)

Cougars, 5650

Dundee High School-Dundee

ViBots, 4395

Ferndale High School

IMPIS, 1025

Genesee Robotics Area Youth Team (Fenton)

G.R.A.Y.T Levathons, 1322

Goodrich High School

*More Martians, 494 / Martians, 70

Grand Blanc High School

EngiNERDs, 2337

Gross Ile High School

Wired Devils, 5498

Hartland High School

Electro Eagles, 3536

Imlay City High School

Spartronics, 5048

Lake Orion High School

Dragons, 302

Lapeer County Ed-Tech

Galaktech Invaders, 3535

Linden High School

Robo Eagles, 3568

Macomb Academy of Arts and Sciences (Armada)

Fighting PI, 1718

Mercy High School (Farmington Hills)

The Riveters, 1481

Monroe County Intermediate School District

Virus, 3547

North Branch High School

BroncoBots, 5201

Notre Dame Preparatory (Auburn Hills)

Killer Bees, 33

Oakland Tech Northeast (Pontiac) 

Juggernauts, 1

OSMTech Academy at Clarkston High School

Team RUSH, 27

Our Lady of the Lakes (Waterford)

Lakers, 5053

Oxford Community Schools

TORC, 2137

Pontiac High School

Wings of Fire, 51

Rochester Adams & Stoney Creek High Schools

Adambots, 245

Rochester High School

The Feds, 201

Skyline High School (Ann Arbor)

Eagle Imperium, 3322

South Lake High School (St. Clair Shores)

Cavbots, 5214

South Lyon Community Schools & South Lyon Robotics

Flying Toasters, 3641

Southeastern High School of Technology (Detroit)

Jungaleers, 4851

St. Clair High School

Flurb, 5843

Stevenson, Henry Ford II & Utica High Schools

Crevolution, 2851

Stoney Creek High School (Rochester Hills) 

CyberCats, 5436

Trenton High School

Torque-Nados, 5090

Walled Lake Schools

The Monsters, 308

Warren Consolidated Schools

Steel Armadillos, 818

Waterford Kettering High School

The Captains, 3098

13 Michigan-based FIRST Tech Challenge teams received $400 grants from the FCA Foundation:

Bloomfield Hills Middle School

*No Limits, 8593 and Mechanical Monkeys, 7047

Goodrich Middle School

Martians, 5289

Home Middle School (Fenton)

Lightning Boltz, 5954

Imlay City Middle School

I-Spartans, 8615

Life Learning Community School (Ann Arbor)

GearCats, 7305

Linden Middle School

Roboeaglets, 7031

Marysville Middle School

Jr. Vibots, 8688

North Branch Middle School

*NBMS 7065, 7066, 7067 and 7068

Our Lady of the Lakes (Waterford)

Lakers, 7583

*Teams share a single grant

Additionally, First in Michigan was awarded a $1,600 grant to support its First Lego League program, which introduces students (grades 4-8) to the fun and excitement of science and technology; and $60,000 in grants were awarded to 12 Ontario, Canada-based FRC teams, bringing the total amount awarded by the FCA Foundation for the 2015-2016 academic year to $310,000.

“Since 1995, the FCA Foundation has awarded more than $2.6 million in grants to FIRST programs,” Slavitt added.

About the FCA Foundation
Since 1953, the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA US LLC, has invested more $500 million in charitable organizations and initiatives that help empower people, and build strong, viable communities. The FCA Foundation invests in programs that generate meaningful and measurable societal impacts in the following areas:

• Education – programs that inspire young minds, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM);

• Military – programs that support financial and basic needs of military service members, veterans and their families;

• Multicultural/Diversity – programs that promote inclusion and opportunity for diverse populations; and

• Youth Development – programs that help young people develop the skills and leadership qualities to succeed in school, at work, and in life.

Additionally, FCA US seeks opportunities to support communities through its Motor Citizens® volunteer program. This innovative program enables FCA US salaried employees to use 18 hours of paid time each year to be an Engine for Change by investing their time and talents in community service projects.