Robotics Team to hold "Color Run" fund-raiser

Manchester Schools FIRST Robotics team the “Digital Dislocators," in one of their appearances earlier this year.

They say it takes a village ...

It also takes a budget to raise a Robotics Team for the Middle and High School. About $10,000, in fact. Losing the generous support of Worth Repeating (which has been their largest sponsor for the past two years) this spring, spurred the FIRST Robotics team to look further for fund-raising opportunities. So, this year the team has been thinking outside the box to come up  with a fresh new idea for a large fund raiser.

"We finally settled on the idea of putting on and hosting our own color run in May," said Matt Hall, a science teacher at the middle school and one of the advisers of the FIRST Robotics Teams. "We have been working on the details ever since. We are still looking for color station sponsors to help defray the cost of the event.

"We are also looking for door prize donations, that all participants would be eligible to win."

Overall, Hall explained, the mission of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology) Robotics is to engage students in science and technology learning, while contributing to the nation's technological enterprise.

"Manchester FIRST does this through creative, hands-on STEM competitions," he added. "Our goal is to get youth excited about science and technology, and pursuing related studies and careers.

Hall continued, "From an academic standpoint, FIRST is a hands-on STEM education program. Through academic competition experiences, students can work "FIRST hand" with scientists, engineers, and technicians who serve as mentors and coaches in a collaborative, professional environment. FIRST programs are research based and proven to enhance student achievement and long term success."

The 5K color run event, called "Run 4 The Robots," will be held October 21, starting at Manchester High School, 20500 Dutch Drive. Registration has already begun, and will continue until October 7. Sign up or get more information about the race HERE. Registration fee is $43, which includes a $3 sign up fee.  The run will help support the efforts of the FIRST Robotics team to provide real-world experiences that supplement and deepen learning in meaningful and enduring ways that go far beyond classroom experiences.

Join the fun ... come out and run (for the robots!)

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.