Advocacy

National Advocacy Conference

Over the summer, we returned to NAC for the fourth year! Our team advocated for an increase in funding for STEM programs on the national level. This three-day event is crucial for our advocacy efforts. Over the first two days, our students dove into the intricacies of legislation affecting STEM programs. Then, with their new knowledge and skills, they gathered at the US Capitol on the third day to speak with Senators and Represntatives, making a real world impact!

Wisconsin Advocacy Conference

Our team proudly stands as one of the three founding members of the Wisconsin Advocacy Conference. Even now, we maintain an active presence with two of our members serving on the planning committee. Our team member contributes significantly to the conference's planning process and also takes the stage to empower fellow students with advocacy skills. During the conference, attendees seize the opportunity to engage with local senators and representatives, advocating fervently for a heightened DPI grant.

What is the DPI grant?

The state of Wisconsin originally passed the DPI grant in 2015, bringing extended funding to Robotics and STEM-related activities. The Department of Public Instruction Grant is funded at $750,000 per year in the state of Wisconsin, allowing teams to claim a maximum of $6,000 annually. However, more is still necessary to fulfill the needs of all teams requesting additional funding. In past years, teams have only been able to get half of the money they are requesting. The DPI grant is available for all charter schools, private schools, and home-based private education programs with students from grades 6th through 12th. This grant is often used by startup teams for initial expenses and by senior teams for extra robot parts. Teams have some freedom when it comes to spending the $6,000; they can use the money for things such as event expenses, robot parts, and travel expenses. To claim this grant, teams are required to submit all purchase receipts they would like to claim as a "DPI Grant expense" by no later than April 1st; teams are then reimbursed by the end of that fiscal year. Our goal as STEM advocates is to help support the increase in DPI grant funding to ensure that all teams can receive the full amount to meet the funding needs of individual teams throughout Wisconsin. Our past advocacy has proven to work! Students like me and you in Wisconsin were able to advocate for an increase from $500,000 to $750,000.

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