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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1182 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 360
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
John C. Velis
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :John C. VelisHampden and HampshireDanillo A. Sena37th MiddlesexRyan C. FattmanWorcester and Hampden2/28/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1182 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 360
By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 360) of John C. Velis, Danillo A.
Sena and Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to establish an elementary and secondary school
robotics grant program. Education.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE [Refile Branch], NO. OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 15 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
2 Section 67. (a) The department of education, hereinafter referred to as the department,
3shall establish a grant program, subject to appropriation, to be known as the elementary and
4secondary robotics grant program for the purpose of providing grants to assist school districts,
5Horace Mann and commonwealth charter schools with the development of STEM and robotics
6programs in schools. The grants shall be used to help students succeed academically and attend
7colleges with a major in science, technology, engineering and math. The grants shall help
8prepare students for a workforce in STEM and robotics. The grants shall also encourage
9voluntary expansion of existing STEM and robotics programs in the commonwealth. The 2 of 2
10department shall develop guidelines governing the grant program and guidelines for
11implementation of said program.
12 (b) Applicants shall be commonwealth school districts, Horace Mann and commonwealth
13charter schools. Schools without a sponsored robotics club or established robotics program shall
14be given preference for grant awards. Priority shall be given to schools located in the following
15counties: Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Bristol, Barnstable and Dukes. Applicants
16shall commit to running a team registered with one of the following organizations: FIRST
17Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Lego League Explore, FIRST Lego
18League Challenge, VEX Robotics Competition, VEX IQ Challenge or Science Olympiad, or
19approved by the commissioner.
20 (c) The commissioner shall evaluate annually programs established under this section
21including the potential for replicating such programs throughout the commonwealth. The
22commissioner shall also provide technical assistance to school districts seeking to replicate
23programs funded under said section.