Continuing to expand opportunities for AIA member schools in the field of VEX Robotics, Raytheon Company (NSYE: RTN) awarded Desert Edge High School in Goodyear $2,000 to launch its program.

The award, which was presented to representatives of the school at the AIA Robotics State Championships Feb. 29 at Canyon View High School, will ensure Desert Edge has a team that will compete for a state championship in 2021.

“Students are constantly asking about it, but we have no resources to participate in VEX Robotics,” said Scott Hogan, the school’s STEM club coach and physics teacher. “We can now expand our offerings in the club and grow enrollment with this award. Thanks to Raytheon we can easily get 25-30 students to participate. They would benefit exponentially by having a real world, tech-based challenge”

This is the second year Raytheon has donated to programs in Arizona. Last year, Raytheon awarded $2,000 to Amphitheater High School for its new program.