Governor Chris Sununu, Dean Kamen Launch New Hampshire Robotics Education Fund

Concord, NH - Today, Governor Chris Sununu will join Dean Kamen, lawmakers, and students from across New Hampshire as he launches the New Hampshire Robotics Education Fund.

"As the needs of our workforce evolve so should educational opportunities," said Governor Chris Sununu. "I am proud today to launch the New Hampshire Robotics Education Fund, fostering a 21st century education system that works for all Granite Staters. This transformative initiative will allow students from all backgrounds across the Granite State to create, join, and participate in a robotics team, encouraging student engagement in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math."

"This is a total home run for Granite State students," said Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST. "The New Hampshire Robotics Education Fund will give students across the state the opportunity to develop the skills they'll need to succeed in any career they choose. I applaud Governor Sununu and New Hampshire's Department of Education for their commitment to the state's young people. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we inspire young people to engage in STEM. Here in New Hampshire, with our population aging and more of our high school graduates leaving the state, our businesses are challenged to find the skilled workers they need. This pledge from New Hampshire to its children should stand as a challenge to Governors across the country to prepare and ensure promising and rewarding futures for the next generation of innovators, inventors, and creative problem solvers."

"It is prudent that we make investments in STEM programs across our state. FIRST Robotics is one of the programs that has proven to give our kids a leg up in the workforce by sparking our students interest in science, technology, engineering and math starting at a young age," said Senate President Chuck Morse (R-Salem). "The New Hampshire Robotics Education Fund will expand the opportunity for students in schools across our state to begin their own FIRST Robotics teams. This is the type of workforce development program we need, it is practical and has measurable benefits for our kids in their futures."

New Hampshire Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut added, "I am pleased that we are now able to offer robotic grants to all New Hampshire public schools and that students participating in a robotics program will acquire the essential skills needed to be successful in the 21st century. The Department has provided a link on its homepage (www.education.nh.gov/) to assist schools through the application process and to answer questions."