The Henderson business community donated more than $15,000 to help local robotics teams travel to Louisville, Kentucky to compete in the VEX Robotics Worlds Competition.
In an initiative called "Biz + Bots," the Henderson Chamber of Commerce Foundation was able to raise $12,500 to support teams from Nate Mack Elementary, Greenspun Jr. High and Basic Academy of International Studies. Mayor-elect Debra March also contributed $1,000, and Tronox donated $2,500 directly to Basic Academy.
The students didn't win at the competition, but they considered the lessons they learned to be valuable. Nate Mack students, for example, had to rebuild and reprogram their robot when they found out it was too big to enter the competition.
“These robotics teams are preparing students — as young as elementary school — for jobs that are currently changing the face of the manufacturing industry,” said Scott Muelrath, president and CEO of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce. “It absolutely behooves the Henderson Chamber to support our city’s future workforce by helping them go as far as they can.”
All three teams are expanding their robotics clubs' presence for next year. The Henderson Chamber will continue to raise money for the teams starting in August.
