High school students to battle with their 'bots April 13-14 in the Convocation Center.
Hundreds of dedicated high school students will bring their robotic creations to Cal U as they participate in the 13th annual Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ Finals.
The event, April 13-14 in the Convocation Center, uses gladiator-style battles among robots and the spirit of competition to encourage students to hone practical skills in science, technology, engineering and math.
The opening ceremony is 9 a.m. April 13. Bouts begin at 9:30 a.m. On April 14, battles begin at 9 a.m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.
A free STEAM Showcase from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 14 spotlights science, technology, engineering, arts and math and includes a visit from the Intermediate Unit 1 mobile fabrication laboratory. Cal U's Admissions Office will hold a session for parents from 10:30-11:30 a.m. April 14.
Before battle, students spend months designing and fabricating their robots. Manufacturers and other sponsors work side by side with mentors, teachers and parents to develop STEM skills and connect students with employers, workforce training opportunities, and higher education options.
In-demand skills in public speaking, as students explain their processes to judges, and project management are also part of the BotsIQ competition, which is expected to include 85 schools, technical centers and regional organizations.
"There's a lot more to this contest than smashing robots -- although that's a lot of fun," says Michael Amrhein, a retired Cal U faculty member who is a BotsIQ judge and past event coordinator.
"It's about developing students' interest in STEM and showing them how those skills can lead to jobs in industry. Many of the student mentors are Cal U alumni who have gone on to successful careers in STEM."
SWPA BotsIQ is managed by New Century Careers and affiliated with the National Robotics League, which holds its national competition May 18-19, also at the Convocation Center.
This is the sixth year for the BotIQ finals at the Convocation Center.
"I always enjoy returning to campus and we are always treated well here," said Greg Bohna, a 1998 Cal U graduate and a physics teacher and BotsIQ adviser at Brownsville Area High School.