Fairmont State University Receives Grant for Robotics Scholarship

Fairmont State University has received $4,000 in grant funding through the Boeing Foundation to provide scholarships to students in the University’s competitive robotics club, Falcotronix. This funding was secured with the assistance of Fairmont State University’s Office of Sponsored Programs. 

The funding will allow up to four students on the robotics team to receive $1,000 in scholarship funds to alleviate financial burdens associated with regular attendance and travel expectations for team members. Members of the robotics team meet once a week and participate in multiple qualifying events each year. These qualifying events have previously allowed the team to attend the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation World Championship held annually in St Louis, Missouri each April. 

These scholarships will increase Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) accessibility to individuals who have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Furthermore, these scholarships are designed to encourage persistence rates in students pursuing careers in STEM. 

“Our dedicated club members commit to dozens of team meetings and build days, often staying late to work on their robots, program autonomous missions, and prepare judged materials,” said Dr. Todd Ensign, club advisor and STEM Outreach Specialist at Fairmont State.  “Additionally, Falcotronix members volunteer to referee and judge numerous youth STEM competitions at Fairmont State and across West Virginia, inspiring youth to consider STEM degrees for their future as well. This generous scholarship from Boeing helps us recruit and retain these talented students and expand the pipeline of STEM professionals.”  

Students in the competitive club learn how skills such as rapid prototyping, programming and sensor use, testing and data collection, and project management can be used to solve real-world problems and apply to their post-graduate careers.  

This grant was received through the Boeing Foundation. A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing’s U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on core values of safety, quality and integrity. 

The Boeing Foundation’s generosity will help students continue pursuing their passion for robotics while reducing some of the financial barriers associated with participation. This support will also enable them to share their enthusiasm for STEM with others, inspiring future generations and strengthening West Virginia’s growing foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.