RPA senior earns grant for high school robotics team

RPA’s robotics team, #5627-Robotics Quasar Alliance

RPA senior Ben Barrie recently applied for and received a grant from the Gene Haas Foundation in the amount of $2,500 to be used by RPA’s robotics team, #5627-Robotics Quasar Alliance. 

The sponsorship funds can be used to pay for the costs associated with building robots and participating in competitions.  

“These funds will be a great help to the robotics team,” said Barrie, explaining how the grant will help them compete against schools from the Willamette Valley who have access to sponsors, machining equipment and expensive software.  

Barrie explained how the RPA robotics team has done well in competitions due to their creativity and willpower while being up against teams with larger budgets and access to equipment.  

“As a senior I won’t be able to see what the money goes towards but with this extra funding I am confident that we will be able to build upon our strengths and use this money to great purpose,” Barrie said.