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“Inspiring the neXt Generation of Innovators, One Robot at a Time” We are ‘team xbot’, a nationally recognized high school robotics team that competes at the FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) events. ‘team xbot’ walks the FIRST talk. ‘team xbot’ is a female led team (Program Director, Robot Design – Mechanical Engineer, student team captains), 90% students of color and has successfully “inspired young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.” ‘team xbot’ is an established team (10th year, 40 – 50 team students/year) a. Reaching out to inner city students – 54.8% free or reduced lunch students, 60% single parent households, families with no disposable income. b. 100% self funded program offering scholarships to financially needy students. c. Mentoring and hosting workshops to other rookie and existing FIRST robotics teams. d. Offering robotics design, build and programming opportunities that Seattle Public Schools does not and cannot support.’ “team xbot Programming with LabView Workshop” - The grant will provide funding for a. Robotic curriculum development and publication (pod casts, online training, and workshops). b. Formalize a project- based, hands on workshop for the programming (NI LabView) aspects of a 120 lb 5’ tall robot designed, built and programmed in six and half short weeks. c. The team must train new members as our students matriculate every three years – therefore the importance of a published curriculum (teacher resources such as instructor guides, podcasts or online training). d. Offer the curriculum and workshop to the FIRST Robotics community that is now 55 teams strong in the PNW. There are over 2000 teams worldwide that compete at the FIRST events. e. Funding request: i. Practice chassis material (aluminum, gears, motors, sprockets, etc) $1,500 ii. National Instruments cRio robot brain $1,500 (embedded platform for academia provides deterministic, reconfigurable hardware and software for students and researchers focusing on embedded systems). iii. The robot operator interface (Classmate Netbook) $1,000 iv. Curriculum production/publication $1,000 team web site posting, offer workshops at local FIRST events, summer workshops and local schools) Although overused, it takes a village to raise a child. The ‘team xbot’ mentors (each volunteering over 200 hours/year, community professionals from Microsoft, Boeing, aeronautic consultants, City of Seattle, retired Seattle Public School staff) are the village guiding our students through their high school years (successfully completing graduation requirements), bringing hands on relevance to their classroom studies, being the successful roles models encouraging them to continue their higher education, and having fun. The kids often describe ‘team xbot’ as their extended family. We thank you for the opportunity to tell our story, and reach out to more kids with fun alongside important life skills and education. Alliance for Education/XBOT Robotics is our fiduciary agent. 509 Olive Way, Suite 500 -- Seattle, WA 98101. The Alliance for Education is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our tax ID number is 91-1508191