SDSGCs annual $6,000 Daniel Swets Robotics Materials Award is a competitive K-12 teacher award. From among 5 applications in FY17 totaling over $20,134 in requested funding, two winners were presented awards on February 9, 2017, at the South Dakota Science and Math Teachers joint conference for a total of $6,042 in robotics supplies: Susan Rolfes of the Vermillion Area Robotics Club ($3,042) and Alison Batie of Eureka Public School/Eureka Robotics Club ($3,000). Collectively, they will reach 260 precollege students. Their individual award projects are described below.
From its inception four years ago, Susan Rolfes of the Vermillion Area Robotics Club (VARC) has help their VEX robotics program grow to reach 160 students from 3rd grade through high school. In 2018, in collaboration with SDSGC affiliate USD, this very accomplished robotics club will host a 3-state VEX IQ Regional competition with plans to expand the competition next year to a 5-state region to include VEX EDR metal robots for middle and high school students. This $3,000 Dan Swets Robotics Materials award will help them in those efforts.

Alison Batie is a science teacher at Eureka Public School, a parent of robotics student, and a Team Coach. Eureka schools new VEX robotics program began largely as a parent-funded effort. They faced challenges to keep it going, but saw the value of a robotics program on the students, so they persisted. This $3,000 robotics grant will help them with much-needed supplies as they expand.