In a standard season, the Pandamaniacs budget can crest $25,000 between event registration fees, the robot build, travel expenses, and spare parts.  Some of that support comes from hosting events like SCRIW.  Sometimes, students are asked for modest dues.  Other support comes from grant support, local businesses, and local organizations. We'd love to have you support our work!

2024-25 Season Needs

As of December 15, we are registered and have reserves to get a robot built and compete at all the FIRST South Carolina events this season.  But there's always a next level.

Additional contributions would allow us to expand our program in multiple ways:

• FIRST South Carolina hosts the SCRAP event in late summer, where we will play the 2025 game again for more experience.

• We usually aim to attend another off-season competition in the fall to expose new students to FIRST and give students moving into new roles a chance to try them with the pressure off.

• Swerve drivetrains feature independently steered and powered wheels.  They are undeniably a competitive edge, but they also come with a $3,000-and-up cost between the modules, advanced motors, and some extra sensors.

• As a community-based team, we want to create our own farm teams.  Starting a FIRST Tech Challenge team for middle school students this fall would cost about $3,000 to do well (but less after year one as many parts are evergreen).  FIRST LEGO League Challenge for elementary students takes about $1500 to start from scratch, but it's LEGO so you know it can be reused!