Virginia STEM Advocacy Seminar
February 17, 2025
2nd Annual
VIRGINIA STEM ADVOCACY SEMINAR
Date:
Monday February 17th, 2025
**rescheduled due to weather**
Location:
Richmond, VA
About the Seminar
Join passionate students and mentors from across Virginia for a 1-day seminar to learn how to advocate to expand STEM opportunities for underserved and underrepresented populations. Hear from experts in STEM education legislation, advocacy, and the Virginia General Assembly. Learn about current legislation affecting education and STEM initiatives, hosting effective meetings, and the Virginia legislative process followed by an afternoon of meetings at the offices of your Virginia legislators. This seminar will prepare students and mentors for meetings with their Senators and Delegates in the Virginia General Assembly. Individuals, small groups, and teams may register. The material is geared for high school students, particularly students in robotics.
Who is Invited?
The Virginia STEM Advocacy Seminar is open to robotics teams, high school students, mentors, coaches, who are interested in advocating for STEM education funding and resources at the Virginia state level. Students can attend on their own with a parent or chaperone, as an entire team, or with another team.
Registration Fee
Registration fee is $25 per attendee. Each registered participant receives breakfast, lunch, printed materials and supplies. The organizing committee will provide support and contact information along with detailed instructions for scheduling meetings with your Senators, Delegates, and their staff in advance along with information on how to prepare.
How to Register
Registration must be completed in advance so that meals and materials can be ordered.
Register Here: VSAS Online Registration Form
After registering you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to pay.
Registration deadline is February 10th, 2025
More Information
Basic Agenda - more details coming soon
Morning Seminar Sessions:
Location: Deep Run High School 4801 Twin Hickory, Glen Allen, VA 23059
8:00 AM Check-in Opens
9:00 AM Opening Remarks – What to Expect
9:10 AM Welcome Speaker – Keynote
9:25 AM General Assembly Overview, How a bill becomes a law, Legislative Budget
9:55 AM Break and Networking
10:05 AM The State of STEM Education Access in Virginia
10:30 AM STEM Legislation and Funding Asks
10:50 AM Visiting the Capitol and Meetings, Tips and Tricks
11:10 AM Closing Remarks
11:20 AM Break and Networking
11:30 AM Meetings Practice – Lunch Served
Afternoon at the General Assembly
Location: 201 N. Ninth St, Richmond, VA 23219
12:30 PM Teams leave Deep Run High School and drive to the General Assembly building at the Capital.
1:30 PM until ? Teams attend pre-scheduled meetings with offices of Senators and Delegates.
What is SASA
SASA is the Student Association for STEM Advocacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging students in advocating to expand STEM opportunities to underprivileged individuals and underserved communities. We have developed over 2000 informed, confident, and prepared student advocates over the last 10 years to make their voices heard within federal, state, and local governments.
As a SASA Charter Member and yearly National Advocacy Conference (NAC) attendee, Blue Cheese Robotics recognizes the invaluable skills gained and the impact students can make when working together to make our voices heard. We are excited to work with 5338 Robo LoCo and 422 Mech Tech Dragons to extend this experience into Virginia.