[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA (Ben Franklin CNP) is thrilled to sponsor the Centre County 4-H Robotics (CC4H Robotics) program, recognizing the profound impact it has in empowering young minds. In total, the program has ten competing teams, with over 100 students between 4th and 12th grade.
Recently, five CC4H Robotics’ middle school teams showcased their talent and innovation at an event on January 20th, 2024, kicking off the competition season at the York qualifier with a day filled with thrilling robot battles. Spectators were treated to a display of creativity and ingenuity as the teams competed in friendly yet fiercely competitive matches, showcasing the versatility and potential of robotics technology. While two of the teams advanced to the semi-finals, all returned home with valuable insights to enhance their performance before the next event. All ten teams are competing in three robotics events between February and March of this year.
Ben Franklin CNP’s commitment to CC4H Robotics extends beyond financial sponsorship and has helped facilitate demonstrations of the robots to companies within their incubator network, providing valuable exposure for CC4H Robotics and fostering potential partnerships. Through these demonstrations, CC4H Robotics has had the opportunity to showcase their creations to industry professionals, garnering recognition for their ingenuity and fostering potential collaborations for future projects.
“This collaboration aligns with Ben Franklin CNP’s core pillars of knowledge, networking, and funding, amplifying our organization’s mission to support innovation and entrepreneurship at all levels,” said Todd Erdley, Portfolio Manager at Ben Franklin CNP. “Through these interactions, we aim to nurture a long-term learning experience that extends far beyond the confines of the classroom.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7911″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Through visits to the club’s location, representatives from Ben Franklin CNP have engaged with the young minds behind CC4H Robotics, providing mentorship, guidance, and insights into the world of entrepreneurship and technology. By connecting CC4H Robotics to entrepreneurs and industry experts, Ben Franklin CNP not only enriches the learning experience of the students but also opens doors to future opportunities and career pathways.
“Centre County 4-H Robotics is incredibly thankful to Ben Franklin Technology Partners for their sponsorship of our program since 2016,” said Bill Jester, CC4H Robotics Advisor. “The faithful support of sponsors like Ben Franklin Technology Partners has allowed rapid growth of our team, which now provides more than 100 students from 4th-12th grade from across Centre County with hands-on STEM opportunities. We look forward to growing this partnership in the future as we continue to increase our impact in the local community and beyond.”
As CC4H Robotics continues to inspire and educate the next generation of innovators, supported by the unwavering commitment of sponsors like Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the future of technology and entrepreneurship in Centre County shines brighter than ever before.
About Centre County 4H Robotics
Centre County 4-H Robotics is a STEM organization located in Centre County, Pennsylvania and focused on education, teamwork, and real-world innovation. CC4H Robotics believes that exposing a diverse group of kids to real world engineering challenges at an early age is critical in developing our next generation of innovators. Students participating in the club go way beyond classroom education in STEM into the hands-on world of design, manufacturing, and programming in the context of local and international robotics competitions. Learn more at: www.cc4hrobotics.org
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