Scenes from a National Robotics League Competition [SLIDESHOW]

May 13, 2014

Volunteers, from competition organizers, company sponsors and teachers make the competition possible.

The National Robotics League National Competition will be held May 16 and 17 at the Lou Higgins Center, Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio. Fifty-one student teams from 33 schools in 7 states will compete to determine whose robot is the best in the nation.

The event, sponsored by the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) is designed to introduce a new generation of Americans to manufacturing.

This photogallery shows scenes from the AWT RoboBots Competition held April 26 in Mentor, Ohio. Sponsored by the Alliance for Working Together (AWT) Foundation, the northeast Ohio event was one of 13 NRL-sanctioned regional tournaments held throughout the country.

Having attended, I think it's important to note that these events are far more than the flying sparks and grinding metal in the battle cage. They are about learning, teamwork and volunteerism -- as well as opportunities to introduce students to the world or manufacturing.

Volunteers, including competition organizers, company sponsors and teachers, make the competition possible (that's why I name as many of the volunteers as I can).

The Manufacturer's Agenda: Recruiting Students to Manufacturing: The Ground Game.

Recruiting Students to Manufacturing Careers [SLIDESHOW]

About the Author

Patricia Panchak | Patricia Panchak, Former Editor-in-Chief

Focus: Competitiveness & Public Policy

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In her commentary and reporting for IndustryWeek, Editor-in-Chief Patricia Panchak covers world-class manufacturing industry strategies, best practices and public policy issues that affect manufacturers’ competitiveness. She delivers news and analysis—and reports the trends--in tax, trade and labor policy; federal, state and local government agencies and programs; and judicial, executive and legislative actions. As well, she shares case studies about how manufacturing executives can capitalize on the latest best practices to cut costs, boost productivity and increase profits.

As editor, she directs the strategic development of all IW editorial products, including the magazine, IndustryWeek.com, research and information products, and executive conferences.

An award-winning editor, Panchak received the 2004 Jesse H. Neal Business Journalism Award for Signed Commentary and helped her staff earn the 2004 Neal Award for Subject-Related Series. She also has earned the American Business Media’s Midwest Award for Editorial Courage and Integrity.

Patricia holds bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and English from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in Journalism from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. She lives in Cleveland Hts., Ohio, with her family.