(left to right): Susan Rolfes (Vermillion Area Robotics Club), Tom Durkin (SD Space Grant), and Alison Batie (Eureka Public School/Eureka Robotics Club)

• Susan Rolfes - From its inception four years ago, the Vermillion Area Robotics Club (VARC) has grown to reach 160 students from 3^rd grade through high school with their VEX robotics program.  In 2018, in collaboration with USD, this very accomplished robotics club will host a 3-state VEX IQ Regional competition with plans to expand the competition next year to a 5-state region to include VEX EDR metal robots for middle and high school students. This $3,000 Dan Swets Robotics Materials award will help them in those efforts.
   
• Alison Batie is a science teacher at Eureka Public School, a parent of robotics student, and a Team Coach. Their new VEX robotics program began largely as a parent-funded effort.  They faced challenges keeping it going, but saw the value of a robotics program on the students, so they persisted.  This $3,000 robotics grant will help them with much-needed supplies as they expand.