When their lead sponsor dropped them after last year’s competition, one local robotics team turned to a group that knows a thing or two about engineering — NASA.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Plan B robotics team that includes students from ConVal, Conant and Mascenic.

When faced with the prospect of no sponsorship, Plan B — aside from the pursuit of their namesake — faced the possibility of a season on the sidelines. Now, thanks to the NASA grant and another $2,500 from the National 4H Council, the 17-student group is guaranteed a slot in the 2010 competition. Brighid Wood, one of four adult mentors for Plan B, said she is thrilled to have NASA take the role of lead sponsor, especially when the grant is exactly double what last year’s lead sponsor offered.

“It was stunning,” said Wood. “It was an unbelievable gift. It might have been the one thing that made the whole season possible.”

With their skill and a bit of luck, Plan B will compete against nearly 19,200 teams at the local, regional and national FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competition. After using Club Cannon in Peterborough as a headquarters last year, the team is based in a Greenville resident’s garage, easing the travel burden on the team’s Mascenic members. Last year, the team made a strong showing at the regional competition and received a rare award for unique robot design. Next year’s event will kick off on Jan. 9, when teams receive the all-new rules and specifications for the competition in an event broadcast online and on NASA TV.

A lot has changed in the past year, and even a youth robotics competition has not escaped the effects of the economic downturn. In fact, the NASA grant was part of a program to award funds specifically to FIRST teams who had lost their lead sponsors. This was a particularly large problem in the Midwest, said Wood, where automobile manufacturers cut their sponsorship of a number of teams.

Even last year, said Wood, the effects of the economy had begun to make themselves known. Of 2,000 mailers sent to area residences, only 20 or so were returned with donations. Students had organized a number of fundraisers, only to come away with $100 at a time.

This year, while facing an uphill battle to raise the thousands of dollars needed to finance a competitive season, the NASA grant has made all the difference. Since the FIRST competition reduced the entry fee from $6,000 to $5,000 this year, the NASA grant lifts the team clear across the biggest hurdle. The $5,000 fee covers a kit with motors, parts and accessories for the base robot, parts that vary from year to year depending on the theme of the competition.

Plan B’s $2,500 4H grant and any other funds raised will go toward the secondary costs of the season, which are numerous, said Wood. The team needs to pay for food for more than 20 people, both for events on the road and for 12-hour build sessions. Experimentation — which is the whole point of the competition — and the occasional failure can drive materials costs well above the $2,250 competition cap for additional parts. Team T-shirts serve as uniforms and fundraising opportunities but require an initial outlay.

“All the money we spend will be on trying to make it a better experience for the kids,” said Wood, who hoped to tuck some of the money aside for next year’s competition.

Plan B is one of five FIRST teams in the region, including two other high school teams that will compete in the robotics competition and three FIRST Lego League teams for elementary and middle school students. Although Plan B’s financial future seems secure at least for the short term, some other teams might not be so fortunate. Wood said contributions of time, materials, equipment loans or food are much appreciated. Of course, donations of cash are always welcome, especially for anyone looking for the title of lead sponsor.

“I’m pretty sure they’ll stay on top,” said Wood of NASA’s contribution. “Unless I go to the post office and find some unbelievable donation.”

This story appeared on Page 2 of the Dec. 17 Ledger-Transcript.