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A MESSAGE FROM BOTSIQ’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Education is changing.  BotsIQ is here to help.

As youth prepare for their future, they face a new world of work that requires advanced skills and technical knowledge.  In a time when manufacturers are challenged to find skilled workers to meet their workforce needs, high-quality education and training programs like BotsIQ are necessary to provide youth with a supportive system to explore manufacturing career opportunities and build in-demand skills. 

To accomplish its mission, BotsIQ offers the following high-quality programs:

BotsIQ Combat Robotics
Through this exciting, hands-on STEM program, student teams partner with industry professionals to experience the entire process of engineering and manufacturing a 15-pound robot (Bot), including Computer-Aided Design, fabrication, machining, welding, and electrical engineering. Once the Bot is complete, students test out their creations in BotsIQ’s gladiator style competitions.

BotsIQ Academy
BotsIQ Academy offers access to online educational platforms such as Tooling U-SME, SolidProfessor, and Mastercam University to deliver high quality, industry-based curriculum. BotsIQ Academy offers coursework to prepare for industry recognized credential exams such as SME’s Certified Manufacturing Associate certification or NIMS Materials, Measurement, and Safety credential.

BotsIQ Robotics Technician Pre-Apprenticeship
The Robotic Technician Pre-Apprenticeship is a state-registered program with a formal curriculum that consists of online instruction and related hands-on projects in the areas of safety, math & measurement, manufacturing, electronics, robotics, and career-ready skills. The Pre-Apprenticeship offers standardized, technical learning resources, advances competency development based on industry needs, and offers students the opportunity for advanced standing in 8 regional post-secondary training programs.

BotsIQ Close the Loop
The BotsIQ Close the Loop program provides academic, career development, and employment opportunities for students with barriers to employment. These may include: manufacturing career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, technical skills training (including BotsIQ Academy), job shadowing, career counseling, work readiness training, job search, on-the-job training, Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities, job shadowing, cooperative work experiences, paid or unpaid internships, career mentoring, mock interviews, and/or financial planning.

BotsIQ Post-Secondary Internship
The internship program extends BotsIQ’s reach to young adult high school graduates and provides paid, real-world work experience at local manufacturing companies.

BotsIQ Cobot Challenge
The BotsIQ Cobot Challenge introduces middle school students to in-demand advanced manufacturing and robotics careers in an exciting, hands-on program that challenges them to work together to identify and solve a problem using a collaborative robot. Participating students gain skills in four key areas: mechanical engineering and computer-aided design; electrical engineering and electronics; computer programming; and fabrication with machining and 3-D printing.

Join us today!  For more information, email [email protected].

Sincerely,
Michel Conklin
Executive Director, BotsIQ

DONATE TO BOTSIQ ONLINE

Donate to BotsIQ

All donations to BotsIQ go directly to supporting the program.

BotsIQ is a program of the 501(c)3 organization Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation. All donations are tax-deductible.

What is BotsIQ?

BotsIQ is a workforce development program of the Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation.  It was created to provide a pathway for youth to explore rewarding careers in manufacturing.

Through exciting, hands-on, project based learning opportunities, BotsIQ attracts smart, capable students who love to build things and solve problems – exactly the type of people that will comprise the future manufacturing workforce.

BotsIQ has three overarching goals:

  • To advance STEM education.
  • To provide resources to local schools to develop hands-on technical learning.
  • To link students with industry mentors and promote an understanding of manufacturing and STEM career pathways.

BotsIQ is working to spark student interest in manufacturing careers, address the manufacturing skills gap, and build the industry’s future workforce.

FACEBOOK FEED

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2 hours ago

SWPA BotsIQ

#tbt Just 2 weeks ago, the #BotsIQ team was getting ready for its first national championship, 'Burgh Bash at Rosedale Technical College!

Congratulations to all of our teams -- they really brought the sparks and excitement! A special shoutout to this year's competition winners:
2nd Place Engineering Documentation (tie) - Bedford Area High School - Donald THUMP & Fort Zumwalt West High School - Supernova
1st Place Engineering Documentation (tie) - Hempfield Area High School - Capo & Punxsutawney Area High School - Space Whale
3rd Place Competition - Ashtabula County A-Tech - A-Tech Machinist
2nd Place Competition - Fox Chapel Area High School - Knockback
1st Place Competition - Bedford Area High School - John D. SMACKafellar
King of the Ring - Hempfield Area High School - Capo
Grand Champion - Fox Chapel Area High School - Knockback
...

16 hours ago

SWPA BotsIQ

Looking for the next “BIG” idea? These kids are the future! Check out their amazing robotic solutions! Be sure to watch the videos in the comment section! ...

Comment on Facebook

This makes my heart happy!

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2 days ago

SWPA BotsIQ

ICYMI, #BotsIQ alumni Don and Joe Doerfler were on Pittsburgh Today Live yesterday to talk about their recent success on BattleBots with HUGE - Battlebots. Catch their clip here: www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/video/battlebots-a-pittsburgh-connection/.

#botsiqproud

BattleBots: A Pittsburgh connection
Heather and Mikey are joined by Don and Joe Doerfler, two members of Team Huge - a couple of Pittsburghers who came in second at the BattleBots World Championship!
...

Comment on Facebook

Very cool! Congratulations!

awesome

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7 days ago

SWPA BotsIQ

WOW, what a season HUGE - Battlebots! We are so proud of your success and we had a great year cheering you on!

Congratulations to the entire team -- but a special shoutout to our #BotsIQ alumni, Garrett Santoline, Don Doerfler, and Joe Doerfler.

#botsiqproud
...

Comment on Facebook

We are such HUGE fans, and Jonathan was incredibly gracious in his final interview !

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1 week ago

SWPA BotsIQ

“Don’t wait for Inspiration- it comes while working” - Henri Matisse

Students at Waynesburg Elementary School experienced 3D Pens for the first time!

Kids and their families were invited to learn how to use a 3D Pen to trace shapes and create their own custom glasses.

We love empowering the next generation of makers!

#stemeducation #makersgonnamake #BotsIQ #3dpens #3dprint
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