Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ Finals
9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. April 24
8:45 a.m.-8 p.m. April 25
Cal U Convocation Center arena
A record number of robots will clash, slash and crash when California University of Pennsylvania hosts the 10th annual Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ Finals.
Seventy-eight teams from 60 high schools and career and technology centers will bring their custom-built, 15-pound robots to face off in gladiator-style bouts inside a shatterproof, polycarbonate “battle zone” inside the Convocation Center.
Admission is free, and the public may attend.
See a list of participating schools
Check back April 24-25 to watch the competition online, from the opening ceremony to the final bout!
About BotsIQ
Ten years ago the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) joined a group of manufacturers and educators to bring BotsIQ to southwestern Pennsylvania.
Since then the robotics competition has grown from six teams to 78, and BotsIQ has evolved into a manufacturing workforce development program.
BotsIQ draws on students’ knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as project management and public speaking. Students spend months designing and fabricating their robots and practicing to take them into battle. Manufacturers support and mentor BotsIQ teams, building a valuable network for participants.
About 85% of BotsIQ competitors plan careers in STEM-related fields. Skills learned through BotsIQ are aligned with those needed for jobs in industry, as well as higher education.
Related sessions
To focus on manufacturing and workforce development, the BotsIQ event at California University includes two free programs, also in the Convocation Center:
- 8-11:30 a.m. April 24 —Meet the Skills Shortage Challenge: Strategies to Build Your Talent Supply Chain. Focused on manufacturing companies, this program includes panel discussions and a keynote address on “Manufacturing’s Future in Pennsylvania.”Register now
- 1-4 p.m. April 24 —Put Your Military Skills to Work for You. Aimed at returning veterans, this program focuses on jobs for former service members and training programs that transition military skills into manufacturing skills. Keynote speaker is Bill Flanagan, of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Register now
Join us
Admission to the Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ Finals is free. Everyone is welcome to attend this family-friendly event.
Registration is requested for the special sessions on manufacturing skills and careers for veterans.
Visitor parking is available in the Vulcan Garage, off Third Street near the campus entrance.