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Nelson Team Grants

Nelson Team Grants seek to enable Title I and STEM-focused elementary and middle schools (grades 4-8) in the Los Angeles area (especially LAUSD) to start teams to participate in the VEX IQ Challenge robotics program. Our goal is to inspire students to pursue STEM degrees and careers. We provide schools with the resources needed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

2017 Nelson Team Grants provide award recipients with the following equipment (total cost: $810 plus tax) plus the first-year team registration fee ($150):

  • VEX IQ Super Kit
  • $330
  • VEX IQ Competition Add-On Kit
  • $100
  • VEX IQ Foundation Add-On Kit
  • $80
  • VEX IQ Challenge Full Field Perimeter & Tiles
  • $200
  • VEX IQ Challenge [Current Game] Full Field & Game Elements Kit
  • $100
  • ROBOTC for VEX Robotics 4.x is now free for all teams
  • Free
  • VEX IQ Challenge Team Registration (first year only)
  • $150

Only schools that are not currently participating in the VEX IQ Challenge are eligible. Schools that receive Nelson Team Grants are required to register a VEX IQ Challenge team ($150 registration fee paid by grant the first year) and to register that team for and to attend an official event (typical fee $100) each year. Schools should plan to spend $100 the first year for event registration and $400 each subsequent year for team and event registrations, for field and game element kits, and for additional robot parts.

Nelson Team Grant Agreement

If my school receives a Nelson Team Grant, I understand that my school will have use of the provided robotics equipment for as long as my team fulfills the following conditions. A new VEX IQ Challenge season starts after the VEX Robotics World Championships in April each year.

  • The coaches/mentors and administration at my school support creating a sustainable VEX IQ Challenge program.
  • The equipment will be stored in a safe, clean location.
  • The equipment will be used for official VEX IQ Challenge events or activities each season.
  • My team will complete and pay team registration each season.
  • My team will register for and will attend at least one official event each season.
  • I will participate in post-season surveys to assure that the above conditions have been fulfilled.

In the future, if my team no longer fulfills the conditions above, I will make arrangements to return the robotics equipment so that it can be made available to another deserving school.

2017 Nelson Team Grant Process

  • School submits Nelson Team Grant application.
  • LeRoy Nelson reviews and approves application.
  • LeRoy sends school instructions to register team.
  • School registers team. No payment or student names are needed.
  • School forwards team registration order confirmation to LeRoy.
  • LeRoy pays the team registration fee for one first-year team. A small box containing a Team Welcome Kit should arrive approximately one week later.
  • LeRoy orders VEX IQ robot equipment, field, and game kits for school. The equipment order ships in 6 boxes that weigh a total of 70 pounds. The game kit is frequently on backorder, so equipment shipments could take up to five weeks.
  • LeRoy sends school shipping confirmations and instructions to organize team.
  • School organizes team(s) to learn how to build and program VEX IQ robots.
  • LeRoy works with schools to organize leagues for local schools to attend.
  • LeRoy sends school instructions in September to register for leagues and other events.
  • School registers team for at least one official event (league or tournament).
  • School forwards event registration order confirmation(s) to LeRoy.
  • Team attends event(s).

2017 Nelson Team Grant Application

Applications are due by Thursday, August 31, 2017. This application should be signed by a school administrator, preferably by the Principal. Please email the scanned application to LeRoy@LARobotics.org. Revised May 16, 2017.

Download 2017 Nelson Team Grant Application (Word document)

2017 Nelson Team Grants - 66 Recipient Schools

118th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD South
122nd Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD South
Andasol Avenue Elementary School, Northridge, LAUSD Northwest
Blythe Street Elementary School, Reseda, LAUSD Northwest
Bryson Avenue Elementary/STEM Magnet School, South Gate, LAUSD East
Calabash Charter Academy, Woodland Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Canterbury Avenue Elementary School, Arleta, LAUSD Northeast
Chester W Nimitz STEM Magnet Middle School, Huntington Park, LAUSD East
Crestwood Elementary School, Rancho Palos Verdes, LAUSD South
Danube Avenue Elementary School, Granada Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Dearborn Elementary Charter Academy, Northridge, LAUSD Northwest
Eagle Rock Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD Central
El Oro Way Charter (Elementary), Granada Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Elizabeth Learning Center (Elementary), Cudahy, LAUSD East
Elizabeth Learning Center (Middle School), Cudahy, LAUSD East
Emelita Academy Charter (Elementary), Encino, LAUSD Northwest
Ernest Lawrence Middle School, Chatsworth, LAUSD Northwest (Team Registration)
Fishburn Avenue Elementary School, Maywood, LAUSD East
Florence Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD East
Fullbright Elementary School, Winnetka, LAUSD Northwest
Garvanza Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD Central
Granada Elementary Community Charter School, Granada Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Hamlin Charter Academy (Elementary), West Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Hart Street Elementary School, Canoga Park, LAUSD Northwest
Haynes Charter for Enriched Studies, West Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Heliotrope Avenue Elementary School, Maywood, LAUSD East
Holmes Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD East
Hope Street Elementary School, Huntington Park, LAUSD East
Huntington Park Elementary School, Huntington Park, LAUSD East
Independence Elementary/Magnet School, South Gate, LAUSD East
International Studies Learning Center (Middle School), South Gate, LAUSD East
Knollwood Preparatory Academy, Granada Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Lassen Elementary School, North Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Liberty Boulevard Elementary School, South Gate, LAUSD East
Lillian Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD East
Loma Vista Elementary School, Maywood, LAUSD East
Lucille Roybal-Allard Elementary School, Huntington Park, LAUSD East
Mary R. Stauffer Middle School, Downey, Downey USD
Maywood Elementary School, Maywood, LAUSD East
Miles Avenue Elementary/Math/Science/Technology Magnet, Huntington Park, LAUSD East
Montara Avenue Elementary/Magnet School, South Gate, LAUSD East
Napa Street Elementary School, Northridge, LAUSD Northwest
Old River Elementary School, Downey, Downey USD
Orchard Academies 2C - Global Studies & Technology Academy, Bell, LAUSD East
Park Avenue Elementary School, Cudahy, LAUSD East
Plummer Elementary School, North Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Pomelo Community Charter (Elementary), West Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Porter Ranch Community School, Porter Ranch, LAUSD Northwest
Russell Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD South
San Antonio Elementary School, Huntington Park, LAUSD East
San Gabriel Avenue Elementary School, South Gate, LAUSD East
San Miguel Avenue Math/Science/Technology Magnet (Elementary), South Gate, LAUSD East
Serrania Charter for Enriched Studies, Woodland Hills, LAUSD Northwest
South Gate Middle School, South Gate, LAUSD East
State Street Elementary School, South Gate, LAUSD East
Sunny Brae Avenue Elementary School, Canoga Park, LAUSD Northwest
Teresa Hughes Elementary/Magnet School, Cudahy, LAUSD East
Valley Charter Middle School, Van Nuys, LAUSD Northwest
Van Gogh Charter (Elementary School), Granada Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Vernon City Elementary School, Vernon, LAUSD East
Walnut Park Elementary School, Huntington Park, LAUSD South
Walnut Park Middle School STEM Academy, Walnut Park, LAUSD East
Weigand Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD South
Winnetka Avenue Elementary School, Canoga Park, LAUSD Northwest
Woodlake Elementary Community Charter, Woodland Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Woodlawn Avenue Elementary School, Bell, LAUSD East

2016 Nelson Team Grants - 16 Recipient Schools

Arroyo Seco Museum Science Magnet (Elementary), Los Angeles, LAUSD Central
Christopher Columbus Middle School, Canoga Park, LAUSD Northwest
Graham Elementary School, Los Angeles, LAUSD South
Hale Charter Academy (Middle School), Woodland Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter, Encino, LAUSD Northwest (Partial)
Holmes International Middle School, Northridge, LAUSD Northwest
James Jordan Middle School, Winnetka, LAUSD Northwest
Lawrence Middle School, Chatsworth, LAUSD Northwest
Nobel Middle School, Northridge, LAUSD Northwest
Porter Middle School, Granada Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Porter Ranch Community School (Middle School), Porter Ranch, LAUSD Northwest
Portola Middle School and Highly Gifted Magnet, Tarzana, LAUSD Northwest
Reseda Elementary School, Reseda, LAUSD Northwest (Partial)
Robert Frost Middle School, Granada Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Sepulveda Middle School, North Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Vintage Magnet (Elementary), North Hills, LAUSD Northwest

2015 Nelson Team Grants - 19 Recipient Schools

Anatola Avenue Elementary School, Van Nuys, LAUSD Northwest
Bassett Street Elementary School, Lake Balboa, LAUSD Northwest
Bertrand Avenue Elementary School, Northridge, LAUSD Northwest
Calahan Community Charter, Northridge, LAUSD Northwest
Cantara Street Elementary School , Reseda, LAUSD Northwest
Columbus Avenue Elementary School, Van Nuys, LAUSD Northwest
Gault Street Elementary School, Lake Balboa, LAUSD Northwest
Lemay Street Elementary School, Lake Balboa, LAUSD Northwest
Mulholland Middle School/Robotics Magnet, Van Nuys, LAUSD Northwest
Mulholland Middle School/Robotics Magnet, Van Nuys, LAUSD Northwest
Newcastle Elementary School, Reseda, LAUSD Northwest
Noble Avenue Elementary School, North Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Northridge Middle School, Northridge, LAUSD Northwest
Patrick Henry Middle School, Granada Hills, LAUSD Northwest
Shirley Avenue School, Reseda, LAUSD Northwest
Stagg Street Elementary School, Lake Balboa, LAUSD Northwest
Stanley Mosk Elementary School, Winnetka, LAUSD Northwest
Sutter Middle School, Winnetka, LAUSD Northwest
Woodland Hills Academy, Woodland Hills, LAUSD Northwest

About the Sponsors

Nelson Team Grants are sponsored by Anita L. Nelson, MD and LeRoy E. Nelson.

Dr. Nelson is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology the Keck School of Medicine at USC, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. She is also Medical Director of the research division of Essential Access Health. She has published over 200 articles in professional journals, 70 chapters in medical textbooks, and over a dozen books. She enjoys judging STEM Research Project presentations at VEX IQ Challenge events.

LeRoy is a retired software engineering manager who has enthusiastically supported youth robotics since his sons joined a high school robotics team in 2001. From 2007 to 2014, he volunteered as the Los Angeles Region FIRST LEGO League Operational Partner, growing that program from 75 teams to 300 teams. For the next three years, he worked part time as a Regional Support Manager for the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, helping grow the VEX Robotics programs in California from under 700 teams to over 1600 teams. LeRoy retired from the REC Foundation early in 2017, but he is still passionate about growing the VEX IQ Challenge robotics program in the Los Angeles area. LeRoy is also passionate about education. He holds a Lifetime Secondary Teaching Credential in Math and Physics. He has taught math and robotics. He served on the Board of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation for 10 years and on the Boards of Manhattan Beach Unified School District and Southern California Regional Occupational Center for four years.

Additional Information

LeRoy Nelson, Treasurer
Los Angeles Robotics
1457 3rd St
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

E-mail: LeRoy@LARobotics.org
Mobile phone: (310) 529-4637
Home office phone: (310) 937-7226