Launched in 2005, BotsIQ’s signature high school program gives students the opportunity to design, build, and compete with combat robots (bots) while developing real-world technical and professional skills. With guidance from their educators and industry mentors, students work in teams throughout the academic year to design and build either 3 lb. or 15 lb. bots that compete in exciting, gladiator-style competitions.

BotsIQ holds preliminary competitions in March for teams to test their bots and battle for seedings at the Finals Competition in April.  Teams not only earn points for their arena battles, they are evaluated by industry experts on their engineering binder. The team’s documentation points weigh heavily in the crowning of the competition’s Grand Champion.

While the competitions give students something exciting to work toward, the larger goal of BotsIQ is skill development. Students build in-demand technical skills in mechanical and electrical engineering, machining, fabrication, and welding. They also strengthen critical thinking, project management, communication, and teamwork. BotsIQ connects these skills to future careers through company tours, job shadows, professional interviews, internships, and other opportunities to engage directly with the manufacturing industry.

Students are provided an extra opportunity to increase their technical knowledge through BotsIQ’s advanced online curriculum in BotsIQ Academy. Launched in 2018 and offered at no cost to the school or student, BotsIQ Academy utilizes online educational platforms such as Tooling U-SME, SolidProfessor, and Mastercam University, to deliver industry-based curriculum in areas such as basic measurement and math, blueprint reading, safety, and Computer-Aided Design.

BotsIQ offers students an opportunity to gain real-world technical skills needed for employment in advanced manufacturing and robotics through its Pennsylvania State Registered Robotics Technician Pre-Apprenticeship.  BotsIQ’s industry-based classes provide a strong foundation of knowledge that is supplemented with hands-on projects and career-related experiences.  Students who successfully complete BotsIQ’s Pre-Apprenticeship are eligible for advanced placement in regional apprenticeship programs and receive college credits at local post-secondary institutions.  BotsIQ’s Robotics Technician Pre-Apprenticeship is endorsed by the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute.

BotsIQ and the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute present RoboRecharge, a pitch contest that brings together robotics and entrepreneurship.  

The goal of RoboRecharge is for students to learn how to solve open-ended, complex problems in new and creative ways. Students work in small groups to identify a problem, conceptualize a robotic solution, build a business model, and create and pitch their presentation to a panel of industry professionals. This project-based learning program is great for all classrooms, including business, English/Language Arts, public speaking, and social studies.

Incorporate manufacturing concepts into any classroom with MFGexplore. These easy-to-follow lesson plans are designed to fit within a 45-minute to 1-hour class period and introduce students to a manufacturing career pathway through a supplemental hands-on activity. All materials and equipment can be borrowed from the BotsIQ Lending Library to support classroom learning.

MFGexplore is a great fit for a variety of classrooms, including math, science, English/Language Arts, technology, engineering, and social studies.

For more information, email [email protected].