Indianapolis News and HeadlinesHiring HoosiersEducation

Actions

Building robots prepares students for STEM careers

Students build robots preparing for STEM careers
Posted at 7:47 AM, Sep 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-26 08:15:01-04

Hiring Hoosiers is an initiative from RTV6 that works to connect Hoosiers to employment opportunities, career development resources, training programs and educational paths. Learn more about Hiring Hoosiers and see new stories weekdays at 6 a.m. on RTV6.

INDIANAPOLIS — As robots are becoming a more common technology used in our daily lives, students at the Walker Career Center are actually building them.

Students in the robotics program learn skills on how to create and build basic robots that use sensors to solve problems and tasks. They build robots that can be used in competitive tournaments and to program industrial robots.

Students also focus on understanding motors, functional systems and robot control systems.

Students say the program helps prepare them for a career in the STEM field, but they also get to have a little fun using their creativity. And instructors say many companies look for these types of qualifications on resumes.

"There are companies that will look for that first robotics or vex robotics on a resume to say they know they've been in a program that they have been put under the gun, under pressure and can succeed through it," Craig Harvey, instructor said.

The program gives students college credits as well, to use to further their skills after graduating.

For more information about the program or the next Vex Robotics Competition — which will be held November 16 at Warren Central High School — visit the Walker Career Center website.

Contact Hiring Hoosiers
If you have story ideas or would like to learn more about Hiring Hoosiers, contact us via email at hiringhoosiers@wrtv.com.