Manufacturing Revival Radio is a Dreamland Radio production with hosts Todd Schnick and Todd Youngblood. On this show, we feature the companies, the leaders, the innovators leading the charge and driving the innovation. Through the blood, sweat, and tears of working men and women from here at home, to around the world. Learn more at Manufacturing Revival Radio.

Today’s episode features Sarah Brooks and Bill Padnos, program coordinator with and executive director of BotsIQ of Southwestern Pennsylvania, respectively. During today’s discussion, Sarah and Bill tell us about the SWPA BotsIQ program and the role it plays in encouraging America’s youth into STEM-focused (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.

SWPA BotsIQ is an educational robotics competition for high school age students that provides them with a unique, hands-on experience that allows them to discover the possibilities of a career in the manufacturing sector, and in other STEM fields.

Show Notes and Highlights

• How excitement and ownership encourages learning
• The program as an introduction to the "sexy" side of manufacturing
• The critical involvement of industry partners and what they get out of it
• Hands-on learning and bridging the skills gap
• The BotsIQ model as the potential future of education

Click on the play button above to listen to the interview, or download the audio file at Manufacturing Revival Radio.