Manufacturing 2.0
Rock River Valley manufacturing experts discuss the many facets of manufacturing: technology, education, training, events, people and any other aspects of this important segment of our economy. They’ll use this blog to get the word out and solicit feedback on local and global manufacturing. They hope to better engage our employers, employees and our future work force and increase their understanding of manufacturing.

ROBOTICS TEAMS

May 23rd, 2008 at 10:45am Teresa Beach-Shelow

The last two evenings have been the most fun for Thom and I. we spent them celebrating with two of our local Robotics Teams. When sponsors arrive they pair you up with two students to be with you throughout the evening. The students can hardly eat because they are telling you all about their experience and excitement for their team. We have been supporting the local teams since the first year at Christian Life High School. Toni Vander Hayden has since helped encourage the mentoring of our two remaining local teams and they have helped start one in Oregon. Freeport has the oldest team but I haven’t gotten to meet them. The excitement and pride we felt during each of the two hour programs was exhilarating!

Women of Today’s Manufacturing has sponsored the Winnovation team for four years. This team has grown from the first year to be a Global leader in Robotics. They have accumulated 19 awards. They are the pit to go to for help and any kind of tool etc. needed, during competition. They ended up in the top 96 teams out of 1500 competing this year. They are going to have an August 2nd Camp for regional teams to come to learn how to do Robotics Teaming better. They have grown to 30+ team members with mentors and several generations of family of support behind them. Scott and Karen Hill are the stars of the show as they lead this group to success with the fun and love that kids this age deserve and need!

The Rockford team is a small team of nine great kids! Hamilton Sundstrand and Woodward provide most of the eight mentors. With the smaller group each of the team members was able to share what being on the Robotics team did for them or meant to them. Exciting! Public speaking skills, designing, fixing, hands on machining or programming, PR and promotion, fundraising. I hope they are sure to put this experience on their resume as they will be great future employees for some lucky company.

The best was when each team spoke about their graduating Seniors. On both teams each of the Seniors was going onto college in a Manufacturing related field. They were not doing that because someone encouraged them to blindly do this. They picked the field based on the actual experience they have and knowledge of what the career they have chosen is really going to be like. SUCCESS!

Both teams are recruiting team members, mentors and sponsors. You can contact them….what you will get out of this is way more than you put into it! I still feel the glow of the last two evenings!
Winnebago—-Karen Hill at hillarc@aol.com
Rockford—-Adam Czerwonka aczerw@woodward.com
Web Sites— www.rockfordrobtics.com and www.team1625.com (well worth a look!)

Entry Filed under: Technology, Education & Training

2 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Karen Hill  |  May 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    Winnovation, Winnebago High School’s Robotics Team, greatly appreciates all the financial and mentor support we have with manufacturers and related businesses of Rockford and Winnebago. Our students are soaring from the hands-on experience they get from participating on our team. They get to apply their classroom knowledge and stretch themselves. It is very exciting to be a part of the team and watch students determine their future goals from what they have learned as a member of the team. Our next goal is to gather area teams to exhibit at the “On the Waterfront”. We’ll keep you posted! To learn more of the bigger impact of FIRST Robotics, check out www.usfirst.org

  • 2. Steve Johnson  |  May 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 pm

    These Robotic teams would not exist without the tremendous support we get from our sponsors. We are all very appreciative for that.

    It is truely amazing how creative and talented these high school kids are. The great thing about the FIRST Robotics program is the wide variety of opportunities and challenges offered to the kids. “Gracious Professionalism” is the core word for these students. For more information on FIRST Robotics, check out www.usfirst.org.

    One of the big questions in my mind has to be how do we get high school students more exposure to the manufacturing world. What better way than to help sponsor something they are interested in. “Sponsor” can mean more than monetary support. Open your doors to the students so they can see what goes on in your world. Invite them in, show them around, talk to them, get them interested before they go off to college. Also, visit them at their “Bot Shop”, see what they are doing.
    Not sure if sponsorship is worthwhile? Attend one of the Regional events next spring and experience first hand what FIRST is all about. You will be amazed and your concerns will be erased.

    Thanks again for your support,

    Winnomentor Steve
    Winnovation Team 1625

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