Super Bowl group to award STEM successes in Ariz. Schools – Arizona Republic

Arizona RepublicSuper Bowl group to award STEM successes in Ariz. SchoolsArizona RepublicProgram: A grant from the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation helped launch Centerra Mirage's after-school club. The school also piloted a STEM program last year that now includes second- through sixth-graders. The school is working toward …and more »

Vote online for robotics mentor in Oconomowoc (jsonline)

FIRST Robotics mentor Laurie Vertz of Oconomowoc is in the running for a $10,000 grant to support her robot-building group, and you can help her help others by voting online.

Vertz is among a group of nationwide "people's choice" finalists in Time Warner Cable’s "super connector" contest, which began this week and ends Dec. 11. The competition is part of the company's five- year, $100 million philanthropic Connect a Million Minds effort, which pumps resources into groups supporting STEM education. STEM, just in case you forgot, stands for Science Technology Engineering and Math.

Super connectors are Time Warner customers the company is recognizing as important supporters of STEM education in their communities. And Vertz is well qualified for the honor, supporting the FIRST Robotics team at Oconomowoc High School for more than 10 years with fundraising, traveling and robot-building help. She has also helped start 14 VEX robotics teams for 100 students in the school district’s two intermediate schools, three LEGO Robotics teams and five Jr. LEGO teams at elementary schools. Vertz also hit every second grade class in the Oconomowoc School District a couple of years ago with engineering-themed coloring books made by the high schoolers …