by Gary Weldon (MADE in DAYTON)
A new organization is now running the popular STEM career awareness program.
The Xtreme BOTS program was started seven years ago by the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association (DRMA) as a way for local students to gain practical knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - essential skills for manufacturing. Through BOTS, students get hands-on experience while designing and building remote controlled robots that face off in competition.
The DRMA has recently turned over management of the program to a new organization, Ohio Robotics, Inc., which is led by DRMA members Dan Griffith, President - Dysinger Inc., Steve Staub, President - Staub Manufacturing Solutions and educator Bryan Jackson - Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC). Ohio Robotics, Inc. is in the process of establishing itself as a stand-alone 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable corporation.
Ohio Robotics plans to expand the Xtreme BOTS competition in the coming years as well as support year-round STEM initiatives. Working with educators, manufacturers and community organizations, Ohio Robotics will develop additional programs that support STEM career paths into manufacturing for students in the Miami Valley.
Since the program was launched in 2006, nearly 500 teams and over 2,000 students have participated in the BOTS program.
Educators involved in the program say that the Xtreme BOTS program is the “difference maker” for encouraging talented students to enter engineering and precision machining programs and several schools have incorporated BOTS directly into their curriculum. This year, one local high school even offered the Xtreme BOTS program as a class. They planned for a class size of only 12 students but they had over 40 applicants!
Ohio Robotics plans to expand the Xtreme BOTS competition in the coming years as well as support year-round STEM initiatives. Working with educators, manufacturers and community organizations, Ohio Robotics will develop additional programs that support STEM career paths into manufacturing for students in the Miami Valley.
Since the program was launched in 2006, nearly 500 teams and over 2,000 students have participated in the BOTS program.
Educators involved in the program say that the Xtreme BOTS program is the “difference maker” for encouraging talented students to enter engineering and precision machining programs and several schools have incorporated BOTS directly into their curriculum. This year, one local high school even offered the Xtreme BOTS program as a class. They planned for a class size of only 12 students but they had over 40 applicants!
Ohio Robotics Inc. and the DRMA invite everyone who is interested in the program to come out and watch the spring Xtreme BOTS competition and see over 40 school teams compete for STEM dominance!
The event is Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Miami Valley Career Technology Center, 6800 Hoke Rd, Clayton, OH 45315. For details go to XtremeBOTS.org or email info@XtremeBOTS.org.
Can't wait for the next event - Always one of the highlights of the year for my children...and the 5 year old loves it just as much as the 15 year old!
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This is good news, glad to see the program was saved and stayed in the Dayton area!
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