Ferradermis Team Advocates for Robotics Funding at State Capitol

On February 12, 2024, a group of sixteen members from Ferradermis participated in the 4th annual Robotics Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. This event brought together over 300 middle school and high school robotics students along with their mentors to advocate for increased funding for STEM education initiatives.

The day began at Monona Terrace, where students learned about state government processes and effective advocacy techniques. Representative Brienne Brown, a parent of robotics team members and a state legislator, addressed the attendees. She encouraged the students to seize the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities through robotics.

Ferradermis members included Mily Zeferino-Hernandez, Cooper Housel, Alex Nelson, and Sam Raupp, among others. During the event, the team emphasized the importance of the Robotics League Participation Grant, which currently supports teams in grades 6-12. This year, the group advocated for lowering the age requirement to include elementary school teams, expanding access to robotics education.

After a morning filled with speakers and rehearsal sessions, the students moved to the Capitol building, where robot demonstrations were held in the rotunda. This hands-on display aimed to showcase the innovation and skills developed through robotics programs.

Throughout the afternoon, Ferradermis members met with seven different legislators and their staff, often splitting into groups to cover more ground. The first meeting was with Senator Melissa Ratcliff, in collaboration with FTC Team 10100 Phoenix Force from Verona. The discussions focused on the significance of supporting robotics initiatives in Wisconsin.

Following this, the team met with Representative Brienne Brown again, where they discussed changes coming to the FIRST Lego League and advocated for extending the Robotics League Participation Grant to younger students.

The group then proceeded to meet with staff from Representative Ann Roe’s office, alongside FTC 21355 Turtle TEK from Beloit. Due to the Assembly being in session, many meetings were held with staff members rather than directly with the legislators.

Students also had the opportunity to engage with Katherine Morgan, staff member for Representative Joan Fitzgerald, and later met with a staffer for Senator Mark Spreitzer. In this meeting, Ferradermis collaborated again with Turtle TEK to present a united front on the importance of robotics funding.

The final meeting of the day was with staff from Senator Steve Nass’s office, where the students further reinforced their advocacy for STEM education funding.

The efforts of Ferradermis and other teams at the Capitol highlight the growing importance of robotics programs in education and the need for continued support to foster young innovators. Through their advocacy, these students not only showcased their projects but also demonstrated the value of collaboration in achieving common goals.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch, Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor, [email protected]