OKEECHOBEE —Brains on STEAM’s Super Powered Dino Bytes have the opportunity to go to the World championship, but they need  help.

For the past two years, these Okeechobee Teams have represented not only Okeechobee, but the State of Florida and the United States in international competitions.

One of the Okeechobee teams will be attending FIRST® Robotics Championship to be held April 19-22, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

They have a big goal, and need help! They are a community team. What does that mean? It means their parents and their teacher, Marion Ross, cover the cost and put in a lot of sweat equity.  

When people hear kids are building with LEGO, they might assume they are just playing. Yes they have fun, but they are also solving real problems using traditional science, robotics and code. For example, recently these kids had to write code to graph energy consumption and discover how  smart bike gain potential energy.

Here are few ways you can help:

1. You can prayerfully consider a donation. (There is a donation box at Big Tasty, or you can drop by Brains on STEAM located at 308 SW Second Street or come see them at the Okeechobee County Fair this week.)
2. They are looking for companies to sponsor them. If your company or a company you may know would be willing to sponsor the team, PLEASE let them know.
3. Tell others about the team's needs.
4. Energize the kids. Stop by after school and write a kind note to encourage the kids and learn about teams. They are already preparing for next year.

Your donations will go towards the team costs for the competition such as registration, booth construction, marketing materials, signage, swag, and shirts, but also for additional prototype improvements and testing.

In addition to the above costs, the travel expenses for three team members, three coaches and their families to travel to Houston, Texas. Hotel, food, parking will be upwards of $2,500 per family. If they raise more money than they need to cover the team costs, they will use the extra to offset travel expenses for families.

The group is also holding a raffle, and tickets can be purchased at the fair from our team's parents, or by stopping by Brains on STEAM.