Elementary students pose together after competing in last year’s First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Competition held at May Street Elementary School in Hood River.
Elementary students pose together after competing in last year’s First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Competition held at May Street Elementary School in Hood River.
THE GORGE — More than 160 youth across the Columbia Gorge are building, coding, and competing at zero cost this season, thanks to the return of competitive robotics mini-grants co-sponsored by the Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) and the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub.
Now entering its fourth consecutive year, the regional initiative covers essential team registration fees, hardware, and materials, ensuring that economic barriers never dictate a student’s access to hands-on technology education. This year’s funding is bolstered by a contribution of $10,000 from Hood River-based airborne imaging company Overwatch Imaging.
Students currently participating through these grant-funded resources represent a wide range of regional classrooms, community clubs, and maker organizations, including Dufur School, South Wasco High School, Wasco County 4-H, The Dalles High School, May Street Elementary, Westside Elementary, Parkdale Elementary, Hood River Middle School and Gorge Makerspace.
Competitive robotics provides a launchpad for future engineering, software, and technical careers, yet registration fees and equipment costs routinely burden school budgets and volunteer coaches. By offsetting these core expenses, the mini-grant program guarantees local teams can focus entirely on innovation and team building.
“Our partnership with GTA is about more than funding; it’s about building a future where all students can see themselves in STEM careers,” said Julie Cucuel, director of Columbia Gorge STEM Hub. “Every dollar goes toward removing barriers and empowering young people to explore robotics and problem-solving in real-world ways. We’re incredibly proud to continue this work for a fourth year, and we're deeply grateful to the GTA and Overwatch Imagining for their investments in youth programming.”
“We’re honored to be in our fourth year supporting robotics teams across the Gorge,” said Jason Hartmann, GTA project manager. “These programs spark curiosity, build technical skills, and create future innovators. The collaboration with the STEM Hub aligns perfectly with GTA’s mission to strengthen the regional tech ecosystem, which starts with students and their access to high-quality, engaging STEM education.”
About the Organizations:
Columbia Gorge STEM Hub: A department within the Columbia Gorge Education Service District (ESD), the STEM Hub partners with schools, businesses, and civic groups to expand equitable STEM learning throughout regional communities. Visit www.gorgestem.org to learn more.
Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA): Connecting and growing the tech community across the Mid-Columbia region, the GTA champions workforce development, networking, and regional tech literacy. Visitcrgta.org for more details.
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