Good News Florida

GoodNewsFL.org 41 MARCH 2018 OUT AND ABOUT On Tuesday, February 13, Westminster Academy’s FIRST Robotics Team 744 traveled to Tallahassee to participate in STEM Day at the Capitol with leaders from science centers and museums from around the state, the Orlando Science Cen- ter, and the Motorola Solutions Foundation. The team demon- strated their 2017 robot in the Capitol Rotunda and the Capitol Courtyard to an audience of state senators and representa- tives. They worked closely with Sandra Contreras, Regional Di- rector of FIRST South Florida, to create an awareness of the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education and FIRSTRo- botics and to lobby for increased funding for FIRST Robotics teams in Florida. The Westminster Academy legislative team presenting at this event included student members Isaac Hobby, Jennae Katic, Keri-Anne Lue, Patrick Mills, and Sebastian Molina, alumna/mentor Lauren Cooley, and mentors Cathy and Kent Stolley. They presented in the offices of 11 state legislators during there one-day visit to the Capitol in an attempt to secure $500,000 in continued sate funding for FIRST Robotics teams in Florida. Westminster Academy’s FIRST Robotics Team 744 competes at the highest level, frequently ranking with the top teams in the world. FIRST Robotics Team Advocates for STEM Education Westminster Academy students Sebastian Molina and Keri-Anne Lue and South Florida FIRST Regional Director Sandra Contreras meet with Lindsey Swindle, Legislative Assistant to Senator Dorothy Hukill. 1R 'HSRVLW 5HTXLUHG OEFV RUJ ‡ OEFDQGV#JPDLO FRP RU ZULWH WR XV )25 $ )5(( &$7$/2* &217$&7 86 $7 '(*5((6 7KURXJK &RUUHVSRQGHQFH $662&,$7( 7+528*+ 3+ ' &5(',7 )25 /,)( (;3(5,(1&( 6 6XQFRDVW %OYG +RPRVDVVD )/ 6WXG\ $W <RXU 2ZQ 3DFH /LEHUW\ %LEOH &ROOHJH 6HPLQDU\