SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Some students from Slippery Rock Middle School are seeking funding to appear in a robotics competition.

The students will be participating in the BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) competition Oct. 20 at Grove City College.

The team, one of 20 competing, is made up of 15 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. It is building a robotic elevator that, theoretically, would make travel to the planet’s outer atmosphere simple and inexpensive.

Stephanie Steiger of Slippery Rock Township said that raising the money has been difficult. “We have nothing,” Steiger said.

Steiger’s 13-year-old son, David, is on the team.

The students need to raise around $250, which will pay for parts and team T-shirts. Steiger said the team may even consider renting a popcorn machine for the event.

Students are not allowed to seek donations from Slippery Rock area businesses, so they have had to branch out. So far, students have sent out letters and have approached prospective donors and sponsors.

“No one has yet stepped forward,” Steiger said.

If the students do not raise the money, their parents will have to help pay. Steiger said that this is problematic because it will hinder the students’ marketing presentation, which is scored for points, and some parents may have a difficult time paying.

The school is the only one in Butler County that is competing and one of only two middle schools in the competition.

This is the third year that the school has competed. It has placed in the top 10 the past two years.

Students have been working on the project for six weeks.

The competition is open to the public and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the college’s Physical Learning Center.

The top three scoring teams will have an opportunity to move on to a national competition in Alabama.

Those interested in donating may contact Steiger at 724-968-2631 or team coach Paul Zellem at paul_zellem@slipperyrock.k12.pa.us.