The New Tech robotics team — and their robot Nom Nom — got a financial boost Monday with a $10,000 donation from SM Energy.

Representatives from the Midland firm presented an oversized check to the group in the school cafetorium with more than 300 people looking on. The team and SM’s Ryan Harrison, reservoir engineer, Connie Greenlee, geological technician, and Sabrina Smith, community relations specialist, were among those who got their photo taken posing with Nom Nom, which is able to lift large plastic tubs and garbage cans.

Principal Betsabe Salcido said this will help take the robotics program to the next level.

The New Tech robotics team was established about four years ago.

Rick Lindner, a physics teacher who coaches the robotics team, said the contribution will “help a ton,” especially with tools and competing against teams that have been around for 15 or 20 years.

 “This will be a really big asset for us,” Lindner said.

Greenlee said she has grandchildren in the robotics program at Bonham Junior High School and they told her about the New Tech group. She and Smith came to campus to investigate and heard a presentation by junior Luis Trueba explaining the robotics program and the impact it has on students.

The two brought the idea back to the SM contributions committee and the decision was made to help the program, Greenlee said.

 “I think they were really blown away by Nom Nom,” Greenlee said.

Trueba said the contribution is probably the biggest thing to happen to the New Tech robotics program since it began and the funds will help the program grow.

Gary Dutchover, a New Tech history teacher and robotics team mentor, said two things he enjoys about the group are watching students become leaders and seeing the 17 members pick up skills they may not have had before.

Cobi Goble, a junior in his first year at New Tech and on the robotics team, said he’s glad the program exists.

“I think it’s a great thing for the students to be able to do,” Goble said. “It’s not an orthodox after- school program. Since we don’t really focus on sports, it’s great that we have something like this here.”

Salcido said much of the success of New Tech’s programs would not be possible without sponsorships, support from the community and Ector County ISD backing the school’s project-based learning approach.

Recently, New Tech received a $5,000 donation for a rocketry program it plans to establish.

The robotics team heads for Lubbock Thursday to participate in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO competition Friday and Saturday. The team will compete against their peers, potentially from all over the world, officials said.