Members of Chatham High School’s Team Artemis 6621 participated in the STEAM Advocacy Day at the Albany Legislative Building on May 12. This was a great opportunity for our students to see the NYS Capitol, engage with legislators, be recognized on the Assembly floor for their achievements, and participate in government.
Chatham was one of fifteen robotics teams from all over the state that came to Albany to demonstrate for legislators the importance of providing STEAM funding to support students, communities, the economy, and society by showing them first-hand the amazing work that FIRST robotics teams are doing. Students also advocated for bill A.6066, which would establish a high school robotics grant program.
Along with advocacy, the event encouraged interest and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math by exploring these crucial fields and promoting innovation and critical thinking through fun activities.
Assemblymember Didi Barrett, who represents communities in our area, and Chatham alum Gunnar Wordon stopped to ask questions, see a demonstration, and snap a picture with our team. Another Chatham alum, Caitlyn (Gilligan) Daly, also stopped by and talked about her experience working for the Nature Conservancy.
Artemis 6621 was then chaperoned into the Assembly Chamber where the team watched a bill go through the voting process and then were introduced to the Assembly.
Assemblymember Jen Lunsford (from the Rochester area) hosted STEAM Day in Albany and sponsored the STEAM Day resolution in the Assembly.
