Area technology middle and high school students and teachers, along with the GCC ACE department and college community are working hard to prepare for the 14th GLOW Region Tech Wars. The event will be held Thursday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Genesee Community College’s Batavia Campus. The annual Tech Wars brings middle and high school students from all 24 of the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) region’s school districts together in teams to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions.
This year’s students have chosen from close to 30 available competitions to showcase – and put to the test – some basic and some extremely intricate and innovative technology. Regardless of the event, all of the students enjoy the opportunity to see their hard work come to fruition. Tech Wars event details, rules and competition descriptions are available at https://techwarsgccny.org.
Tech Wars 2023 brings back some favorite events for high schoolers such as: Battlebot Soccer; the Regatta; Bridge; CO2 Cars; Logo Design; Sculpture; Onsite CAD Drawing and Reverse Engineering CAD; Skimmer Cars; Sumo Bots; Tractor Pull and Trebuchet; and Lumber Labyrinth.
The 2023 event introduces the Mini-Bot competition and brings back Skimmer Cars and Technical Drawing for the middle schoolers as well as other legacy events such as Catapult; Paper Airplane; Rube Goldberg; and Sculpture. Back by popular demand for all participants is the Mystery Event which allows students to use their creativity and skills in an on-demand, timed situation.
Annually, Tech Wars also features STEAM Jam @ Tech Wars, an event held simultaneously for third to fifth grade students from GLOW region schools. Over 100 students will participate in various team building and mind-stimulating activities that foster skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM). As an educational precursor to a future in technology, STEAM Jam participants will have the opportunity to observe the Tech Wars 2023 competitions.
Educational support for Tech Wars and STEAM Jam comes from the dedication, state-of-the art facilities and quality instruction in the GLOW region schools. Teachers share ideas and explore new technology and developments through both a Regional STEAM Teachers’ cohort and aRegional Tech Teachers’ Cohort.
Focused on local economic development, the newly established Regional Tech Teachers’ Cohort collaboratively cultivates relationships between the schools and local professionals to provide information sessions, field trips, school to work opportunities, and more to enhance student learning experiences. Through these experiences and relationships students begin to form goals and a vision for their own futures.
The efforts of programs like Tech Wars, STEAM Jam and the Cohorts are already making a difference with many thanks to community support. Tech Wars has been continually supported and the 2023 is yet again, presented with a record number of sponsors. Gold Sponsors: Amada Tool America, Inc; GCEDC; Glow with Your Hands; Graham Corporation; I.B.E.W. Local Union 86; LandPro Equipment; Liberty Pumps, Northeast Industrial Tech Inc. and Oxbo International. Silver and Bronze Sponsors: RTMA/FLYAP; Takeform; and the Varysburg Lions Club. The generosity of the Tech Wars sponsors enables the committee to present two scholarships per year to encourage graduating seniors to enter the technology and trade fields and potentially stay or return to the GLOW region with their skills.
“The support of local businesses and organizations in this region is second to none,” Ann Valento, director of ACE programs said. “Without these organizations and other generous local donors, Tech Wars would not be possible. Our local sponsors also serve as volunteers, judges, and spend their valuable time talking with students and inspiring entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, the businesses that participate in these events get an exclusive opportunity to meet and network with the future workforce in our community. We are beginning to see second generation participants which indicates our efforts are being actualized.”
Tech Wars is also sponsored and hosted by Genesee Community College and its ACE (Accelerated College Enrollment) programs. The ACE team and the entire GCC community work to provide a safe and appropriately-equipped environment to showcase the students’ technological skills and creativity.
Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings and with industry professionals. The ACE Program’s Career Pathways is committed to helping students explore career options and make a smooth transition from high school to further education and/or a career.
For more information about the various career exploration and dual enrollment opportunities and ACE supported events at GCC, contact Ann Valento, Genesee Community College director of ACE programs at 585-343-0055 ext. 6316 or amvalento@genesee.edu.
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