Rockwall High Robotics Advocates for STEM Funding in Washington, DC

Rockwall High School robotics students. Photo courtesy of Rockwall ISD.

(ROCKWALL, TX – Aug. 21, 2019) Rockwall High School students from FRC Team 1296, the Full Metal Jackets, recently attended the 2019 FIRST National Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C. to advocate for STEM funding.

The conference was attended by over 65 teams from 22 states, and four of those teams were from Texas. The team was accompanied by Full Metal Jacket’s Chairman’s mentor Danna Taylor and 1296 Spirit Mentor Kim Stewart.

The students met with Senator Ted Cruz and Senior Staff of Senator John Cornyn to talk about the importance of STEM funding and encouraged them to further fund the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and pass the Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act, in honor of the teacher who lost her life in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

The students also met with Representative John Ratcliffe to talk about cyber security and their newest initiative, STEM Gals. After meeting with Representative Ratcliffe two years ago, the Full Metal Jackets were told about the projected 1 million STEM worker gap that was expected by 2022. This led to the creation of STEM Gals, an offseason robotics competition promoting women in STEM.

Through talking to their representatives these students from Rockwall High were able to make an impact, and through their hard work, are working to change the world.

Submitted press release by Josh Sadler. Photo submitted by Rockwall ISD.

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