Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School has received a $25,000 grant from The Kirkpatrick Foundation to support the robotics program and its community outreach efforts.
The goal is to create new robotics teams and run workshops that will serve the Capitol Hill district.
“Team Rocket, F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Team #2723, is very proud to be able to extend our reach in the Oklahoma City area and provide new and ongoing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities to our community. The students on the team truly enjoy interacting with members of our community and showing them what can be accomplished with dedication and some of the ‘hardest fun’ they will ever have,” said Magi Whitaker, Mount Saint Mary’s science department teacher and robotics head coach.
Because of robotics team’s combination of competitiveness and community service, the high school has experienced rapid growth; recently acquiring a larger workspace that presents new opportunities to expand STEM outreach. Many students attend school within a mile of this location and have little access to robotics materials and opportunities. Therefore, the primary purpose is to provide the space with tools/materials for student robotics teams to coordinate, practice and work.
The Mount’s relationship with The Kirkpatrick Foundation dates to 1986. To date, this is the largest grant the school has received in a single year from The Kirkpatrick Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to support arts, culture, education, animal wellbeing, environmental conservation and historic preservation, primarily in Central Oklahoma. The foundation gives $3 million annually in grants and charitable activities.