The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced Monday $2.7 million in Robotics Teams and STEM Internships Program grant awards to eight nonprofit organizations and education institutions across the state.
This competitive grant program, offered through DEED's Office of Youth Development, provides grants to organizations to support high school robotics teams, help prepare youth for STEM careers and create internships for high school students to work at private companies in STEM fields.
One of eight grant award recipents is the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, which received $220,000. With locations in Marshall, Montevideo and Worthington serving surrounding counties, this project will help high school robotics teams participate in competitions and prepare students for STEM careers through hands-on career exploration, mentorship, career guidance and work-based learning opportunities. High school students will receive career assessments, career guidance, labor market information, interview preparation, work-readiness training and up to a 150-hour paid STEM-related internship with a private company.
