A new nonprofit organization is working to meet the growing demand for youth robotics and other science, technology, engineering and math extracurricular programs in Centre County.
CentreSTEM plans to build on the success of the Centre County 4-H Robotics Club over the last decade, according to the organization. After starting out with one team, the program operated by Penn State Extension 4-H has expanded to 14 serving more than 130 students from 25 schools and competing in the elementary, middle and high school divisions of FIRST Robotics.
With that growth starting to outpace space, equipment and volunteer resources, three lead mentors from the Centre County 4-H Robotics program founded CentreSTEM to provide the needed infrastructure, facilities and expanded programming to ensure more students have access to hands-on STEM education opportunities.
“We’ve seen firsthand how robotics and hands-on STEM education can transform students’ confidence, problem-solving skills, and career aspirations,” CentreSTEM co-founder Bill Jester said in a statement. “CentreSTEM was created to give these programs room to grow and to open the door for even more students across Centre County and beyond.”
CentreSTEM hopes to develop a larger, dedicated facility with updated equipment that will serve as a home for FIRST Robotics teams, a regional hub for official robotics competitions and a space for expanded K–12 STEM education programs in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, according to a release.
Currently in the early stages of development, the organization is working with community partners, educators and supporters to help shape its next steps.
CentreSTEM will host a CBICC Business After-Hours event starting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 26 at 2820 E. College Ave., State College, where students in grades 4-12 design and program competition robots. Following the 30-minute showcase, attendees are invited to Happy Valley Live, 1031 E. College Ave., to network with fellow professionals over drinks. To register, visit the CBICC website.
