Future engineers combine science math and teamwork at SCC robotics competition

Student teams were challenged to build a robot modeled after a real-life version used at General Motors with LEGO® MINDSTORMS®.

“The students are given the guidelines and are challenged to think outside the box and work together as a team,” said Brian Steber, senior manufacturing engineer at General Motors Wentzville Assembly Plant. Steber has written the challenge for the last three years. “This competition introduces kids to potential careers in science and engineering fields.”

“This event helps students make the connection between business and education,” said Tammie De Los Santos, Manager, Workforce Development Initiatives at SCC.

Throughout the competition day, students toured the St. Louis Community College Mobile Technology Center, participated in breakout sessions and got a first hand look at the latest General Motors vehicles and the technology included in them such as navigation systems and DVD players.

“It's refreshing to see some of the designs the kids come up with,” said Rick Crockett, a retired engineer from General Motors. Crockett helped start the robotics competition in 1998 and was a judge in this year's competition. “They learn what it's like in the business world. They're given a bid packet and have to design a product and present it.”

In addition to Crockett, judges included Bob Hayes, Paul Durant, Ward Silver, Ed Karl and Wayne Lenzing, all of whom are professional and retired engineers from the community.

General Motors provided the top two teams with LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robotics kits. In the Middle School Division, the top two teams were from Francis Howell's Barnwell Middle School and St. Paul School. In the High School Division, the top two teams were from Fort Zumwalt South and Fort Zumwalt West.

For more information on the Robotics Challenge or other school-business programs, contact De Los Santos at tdelossantos@stchas.edu.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences, and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.