BARRE – The Vermont Principals Association (VPA) has moved to sanction two FIRST robotics competitions as VPA-approved school activities, thereby granting the same benefits as other sanctioned activities and sports. Robotics teams will now be able to access to school facilities, coaches and resources to support the development of robots and robotics competitions in FIRST Lego League (FLL) and FIRST Technical Challenge (FRC) competitions.
“Robotics is growing in popularity in Vermont. It is considered a sport for the mind", says Doug Webster of the Vermont Agency of Education, founder of the Champlain Maker Faire and member of the Vermont Robotics Leadership Council. “We would like every Vermont child to have access to FIRST Lego League by 2017 and expand the FIRST Robotics Competition, as well."