1. lasarobotics.org City of Austin and our need for a Robotics & STEM Park

2. lasarobotics.org Agenda Robotics and STEM correlation Austin Robotics Growth Robotics Park/STEM Center Needs & Vision Katy, TX’s STEM Center – an example Robotics Park/STEM Center Estimate Next Steps

3. lasarobotics.org FIRST Robotics Alumni Are More Likely to Attend College and Study Engineering or Science Source: 2005 independent study by Brandeis University, funded by the Ford Foundation of FRC alumni who graduated 1999 - 2003

4. lasarobotics.org FIRST Robotics Accelerates and Promotes STEM Workforce Growth Source: 2005 independent study by Brandeis University, funded by the Ford Foundation of FRC alumni who graduated 1999 - 2003

5. lasarobotics.org Central Texas Continues to Robotics Team Growth 180+ FLL Teams 50+ FTC Teams 10 FRC Teams 3 Austin FRC Teams competed at the 2014 World Championships in St. Louis 418: LASA Robotics 2158: AusTIN CANS 2468: Chaps Robotics Numbers to be confirmed by Central TX FIRST

6. lasarobotics.org Why a Robotics and STEM Park for Austin Space for STEM Bridge between students, citizens, mentors and businesses Non-sports activity for youth to find like minded peers and mentors Encourage excitement, passion and pursuit for excellence in STEM Inspire, stimulate and challenge students Share and collaborate ideas for inquisitive minds Solve problems and engineer solutions Join citizens, mentors and students in STEM pursuits Proposal Overview Robotics and STEM park Celebrate, Learn, demo, apply STEM with peers and mentor guided activities Support Robotics programs including FIRST, BEST & VEX Shop space, storage space, classroom space and retail/gathering space The NeedThe Vision

7. lasarobotics.org Others are Already doing this Katy ISD’s STEM Center with target completion Jan’15 $6.2M 26K Square Feet Shop space for 8 FRC teams + expansion High ceiling space for Robotics field

8. lasarobotics.org Robotics and STEM Park Draft Estimates Space -Shop space 9K -Team Storage Space 4K -Flexible Robotics/Field space 9K -Administrative/Class/other 7K -Loading dock 1K -Parking $7-9M Equipment fit up -Machinery $54K -Hand Power Tools $1K -Hand Tools $2K -Electronics tools $1K -Tool Attachments $20K -Misc $3K -Maintenance $4K -STEM equipment 50K $135K Robotics Field Infrastructure FRC field $130K BEST/VEX field $5K Bleachers $15K $150K Staff Director Administrator Shop floor staff, other $250K/ year Operational costs - Electric/maintenance, Janitorial, IT. Marketing etc $200K/year

9. lasarobotics.org Next Steps Obtain funding to pursue Interior concepts, mockups, renderings Obtain funding to work with grant strategist Work to refine estimate Work with Skillpoint Alliance, to recruit/present concept to Austin Area companies and local government (City/County/State) to gain support & additional funding Lobby new incoming city council about importance of and support for STEM Inform and persuade Austin citizens for support using social media, print, etc Get public input for requirements/goals of this space Work for private/public partnership to make this a reality

10. lasarobotics.org Backup

11. lasarobotics.org LASA Robotics Team 15 year Robotics team from Austin, TX Based at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy HS FIRST Robotics teams FRC 418, FTC 4290 & 5998 Coach Anthony Bertucci and Mentors from NI, IBM, etc ¼ of team qualifies for free and reduced lunches Student led team Team comprised of 1/3 girls Over 3,000 hours in community service/outreach FIRST Awards include Chairman’s and Regional Championships

12. lasarobotics.org Upcoming Season Team Budget IncomeExpense 2014-2015 for $45,750

13. lasarobotics.org Team Fundraisers & Sponsors SMART Camps FLL Table Build ASK Amazon Smile Jewelry Making iPhone cases FLL Scrimmage FLL Concessions

14. lasarobotics.org Business Plan SWOT Strengths Threats Opportunities Weaknesses Commitment from coach & mentors Student body propensity for STEM Educated & engaged parents Strong and long term Sponsor relationships Strong FLL robotics program in feeder schools Student lead team Fully equipped wood and metal shop Need more industry mentors (technical & marketing) Experienced Coach is within retirement age School and AISD provide limited support No space for FRC Robotics practice Sponsor funding variable year to year Economic uncertainties threaten industry sponsorships Increasing expenses in the FRC Program FIRST is gaining momentum Industry Sponsors commitment to STEM education City and State moving to a “Knowledge Economy” Increasing grants geared towards STEM