For the second year in a row, Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) is proud to be one of 92 recipients of the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) Robotics Competition Grant. MVCSC has been awarded $24,000 for the 2025–2026 school year to continue building its growing robotics programs.

Last year, local utility provider NineStar served as a community partner for the grant, and this year, they’ve expanded their support with an additional donation of $6,250. Their continued generosity highlights the strong community involvement and shared commitment to advancing STEM education in the district.

“This grant has been extremely helpful in trying to grow a strong Robotics program at MV,” said Lisa Pluckebaum, STEM teacher and robotics coach at Mt. Vernon Intermediate School. “By introducing these experiences early, we hope to help our students build the skills they would need to compete and hopefully spark interest in future STEM careers.”

Student interest in joining MVCSC robotics clubs has surged, creating an increased demand for funding to launch new teams and expand program opportunities. The 2024–2025 grant allowed the district to invest in equipment, parts, workspace improvements, coach stipends, and travel expenses for competitions.

Thanks to this support, a competitive robotics team was launched at Fortville Elementary School last year and has now expanded to include Mt. Vernon Intermediate School (MVIS) as well. The MVIS Robotics teams learned about this year’s competition – Mix and Match! In the photo, they are working on setting up the robotics playing field.

MVCSC Curriculum Director Scott Shipley shared, “It’s a great opportunity for our students to get that hands-on learning experience, work together, work on STEM and robotics, and compete against other schools’ teams.” 

But the impact goes far beyond the classroom.

“A robotics team means more than just building a robot. Students learn teamwork, problem-solving, perseverance, and leadership,” Pluckebaum added. “For the school, a robotics team builds pride, strengthens its reputation, and provides students with a positive, constructive outlet that fosters both academic and personal growth.”

MVCSC is grateful to the IDOE, NineStar, and the many dedicated staff members and community partners who continue to provide students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire future success in STEM and beyond.