The support of the Waupaca Area Community Foundation, our regional affiliate partner, is helping to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers at the School District of Waupaca.

Waupaca schools offer extracurricular robotics programming to students in grades 6-12 that few rural schools can rival. At Waupaca Middle School, students compete in the FIRST LEGO League — working in small teams to solve real-world engineering challenges and share their solutions at statewide competitions.

At the high school level, students participating in FIRST Robotics engineer and program robotics weighing in over 100 pounds. These robots can shoot hoops, balance on beams, or do whatever else is required to impress the judges at state and regional tournaments.

Whether through the construction of heavyweight machines or LEGO miniatures, Waupaca’s robotics teams foster not only a love of science and technology among participants but also 21st century job skills for fields in engineering, computer science and manufacturing.

With a $6,322 grant from the Waupaca Area Community Foundation in 2022, the School District of Waupaca has been able to better support opportunities for youth to learn about robotics and technology. The funding purchased equipment that helps team members program, document and transport their robotic creations.

The high school team used a new trailer to transport their robot and equipment across and beyond Wisconsin for state and regional events. FIRST LEGO League members love their new iPads, which are essential to program robots, communicate at tournaments and document their creations.

The Waupaca Area Community Foundation is one of five geographic affiliates we partner with in the Fox Valley. Our other partners include the Brillion Area Family of Funds,  Clintonville Area Foundation  Chilton Area Community Foundation and Shawano Area Community Foundation.