Westminster FIRST Robotics Team Awarded Monsanto Grant

The Cyborg Cats, Westminster Christian Academy’s FIRST Robotics team, was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from The Monsanto Fund. The funds, submitted directly to the FIRST organization on behalf of the Cyborg Cats, will help the team compete at 2016 FIRST Robotics Regional Competitions in St. Louis and Cincinnati.

The application included descriptions of the team’s mission and goals, the impact of FIRST Robotics on Westminster’s students, and the team’s dedication to serving a wider community. A clear explanation of the team’s history, organizational structure, season schedule, proven community impact, and details of how the team will utilize the financial support to achieve the mission of FIRST Robotics were also required as part of the application process.

Westminster was selected and specifically recognized for implementing a season timeline and work schedule that makes the FIRST Robotics experience accessible to a diverse group of their students. The scope of the team’s student leadership and the team’s emphasis on community outreach were also considered during the application evaluation.

“We are so thankful for this generous grant!” said Lisa Harding, director of Westminster’s robotics program. “In our FIRST Robotics program, we are seeing our students discover their passions, be inspired to pursue careers in science and technology, and gain valuable insights into business disciplines. The Monsanto Fund’s investment in FIRST will have a genuine impact on the lives of our team members.”