MESSAGE FROM BOTSIQ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Education is changing. BotsIQ is here to help.
For over 15 years, the Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation has introduced manufacturing careers to high school students across southwestern Pennsylvania through its signature youth program, Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ (BotsIQ). This combat robotics program has impacted nearly 10,000 high school students with exciting, hands-on STEM learning as they design, build, and compete with their 15-pound robotic creations, all the while building the technical knowledge and skills needed for rewarding advanced manufacturing and STEM career opportunities.
Students are provided an extra opportunity to increase their technical knowledge through BotsIQ’s advanced online curriculum in BotsIQ Academy. Launched in 2018, BotsIQ Academy utilizes online educational platforms such as Tooling U-SME, SolidProfessor, and Mastercam University, to deliver industry-based curriculum in topics such as basic measurement and math, blueprint reading, safety, and Computer-Aided Design.
Through BotsIQ’s Close the Loop program, students in Fayette and Westmoreland counties delve deeper into manufacturing career pathways through job shadowing, co-op, or internship opportunities with local companies.
BotsIQ has three overarching goals:
- To advance STEM education and provide resources to local high schools to develop hands-on technical learning;
- To link students with industry mentors and promote an understanding of manufacturing and STEM career pathways to high school students in the region;
- To promote an understanding of manufacturing and STEM career pathways to parents of high school students in the region.
BotsIQ holds a pivotal position as a workforce development program that attracts smart, capable students who love to build things and solve problems — exactly the type of people that will comprise the future manufacturing workforce.
Join us today! For more information, email [email protected].
Sincerely,
Michel Conklin
Executive Director, BotsIQ
Donate to BotsIQ
All donations to BotsIQ go directly to supporting the program.
SWPA 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 manufacturing workforce development program whose goal is to provide a pathway for high school students to learn about rewarding career options in manufacturing. This is accomplished by inviting students to participate in an exciting, hands-on high school robotics competition.
FACEBOOK FEED
Competition Season Makes us Feel Alive! Loading day! Watch students battle 15lb bots next week.
#botsiq #stem #manufacturing #battleyourbotoff
#BotsIQ had a big day of competition prep today!
Equipment and arena brought to Commonwealth Charter Academy ✅
Arena floor assembled and ready for volunteers to raise the walls and ceiling tomorrow ✅
Countdown to competition day #1: 6 days.
We cannot wait!
#volunteersstillneeded #CompetitionSeason2021
#BotsIQ NEEDs you! We are setting up the arena on Friday, May 7th at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Homestead and need some extra hands. Even if it’s only an hour or two — volunteer today!
Sign up at swpabotsiq.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=53903.
#volunteersneeded #manyhandsmakelightwork #TheArenaIsHeavy
Save the date! Join #BotsIQ and Commonwealth Charter Academy for its upcoming Remake Learning Days Event on May 11th!
Engage in hands-on activities from the Intermediate Unit 1's Mobile Fab Lab, explore aquaponics with CCA's mobile aquaponics lab, AquaJack, learn more about manufacturing with New Century Careers and Catalyst Connection, and more!
All events will take place outside (weather permitting) CCA TechWorks in the Waterfront.
#design #create #make #invent #play #learn
#BotsIQ is fueled by an army of volunteers.
Recently, Ace Wire Spring & Form shared a feature story about long-time volunteer Mike Valoski, aka "Crowbar." Mike can be seen refereeing BotsIQ's exciting combat robotics competitions every spring, but he is also the Industry Advisor to Clairton Middle/High School's BotsIQ team, serves on BotsIQ's Organizing and Safety Committees, and volunteers every year to help repair and maintain the large arenas!
"We are very thankful for Mike's dedication to the program and his continued support that enables BotsIQ to introduce students to technical skills and manufacturing careers," says Michel Conklin, the Executive Director of BotsIQ.
Read more about Mike here: www.acewirespring.com/img/Mike%20Valoski%20-%20Crowbar.pdf
Volunteer for an upcoming competition: swpabotsiq.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/
#volunteersmakeadifference #manufacturing #stemeducation #PartnershipsThatWork
