STEM robotics highlighted by state representatives – Youngstown Vindicator

Published: Fri, April 28, 2017 @ 12:00 a.m.

Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Members of the Canfield Circuit Birds, along with Ohio State Representative John Boccieri (far left) attended a press conference by Representative Boccieri and Representative Michele Lepore-Hagan to highlight the importance of STEM education through FIRST on March 27.

Neighbors | Abby Slanker.After a press conference to highlight the importance of STEM education through FIRST, members of the Canfield Circuit Birds brought out their robot to demonstrate how it shoots large round discs high into the air on March 27.

Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Ohio State Representatives John Boccieri of Poland and Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown had a press conference surrounded by members of the Canfield Circuit Birds, Austintown FalcoTech Robotics Team and Cardinal Mooney Robocards to highlight the importance of STEM education through FIRST on March 27.

Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Austintown FalcoTech Robotics Team joined Ohio State Representatives John Boccieri and Michele Lepore-Hagan at a press conference to highlight the importance of STEM education through FIRST on March 27.

By ABBY SLANKER

neighbors@vindy.com

Ohio State Representatives John Boccieri of Poland and Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown hosted a press conference to highlight the importance of STEM education through FIRST at Canfield High School on March 27.

Members of the Canfield Circuit Birds, Austintown FalcoTech Robotics Team and Cardinal Mooney Robocards showcased their robots and answered questions. The Canfield Circuit Birds, Austintown FalcoTech and Mooney Robocards were slated to compete in the FIRST, For the Inspiration & Recognition of Science and Technology, Robotics Buckeye Regional competition at the Wolstein Center on the campus of Cleveland State University on March 30.

Representative Boccieri welcomed everyone to the event.

Welcome to the March Madness of Robotics. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best and the brightest in Robotics from the Valley. We wish you all well as you compete at CSU, Boccieri said.

Boccieri gave some history and background of Robotics in the Valley, including that the Austintown FalcoTech Robotics Team was started in 2009 and the Canfield Circuit Birds followed with their team in 2013, with both teams earning several awards at many competitions.

Boccieri then introduced State Representative Lepore-Hagan.

It is so great to see so much excitement in young people interested in robotics and their future. It is so exciting to see so many opportunities open up for these students. Congratulations and know that we support you in your endeavors and good luck at the competition, Lepore-Hagan said.

Boccieri then opened the floor up to the members of the robotics teams.

Robotics teaches us a lot about skills and what we need to know to become an engineer. It also teaches us problem solving skills and teamwork. It also gives us the feel of a professional environment, said Canfield High School junior Elijah Mt. Castle.

Before the teams presented demonstrations of their robots, Boccieri thanked the educators and staff who helped lead these teams.

Thank you to the educators and staff who are leading these teams into competition. You are all Valley leaders in STEM, Boccieri said.

For their demonstrations, the Austintown FalcoTech Robotics Team brought out their robot, which shot T-shirts many feet into the air, and the Canfield Circuit Birds showed off their robot, which shot large round discs high into the air.

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STEM robotics highlighted by state representatives - Youngstown Vindicator