BotsIQ competition in Hempfield puts STEM concepts into action

Plum BotsIQ team members Emma Killmeyer, Alex Miller and Cian Estadt work on their robot, R.A.M., at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Robots Dark Star (left) from Punxsutawney High School and Block from Somerset Career & Technical Center go head-to-head at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Students teams line up for a safety inspection at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Southmoreland team members (from left) Miles Kuchar, Elijah Leighliter, Josef Jefferson, Logan Boyce, Austin Mough and Robert Slate pose for a photo at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Plum alumni and brothers Don and Joe Doerfler, on the left, help with safety inspections at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Belle Vernon’s Patrick Bush (wearing hat) and Serra Catholic’s Tyler Hoff (wearing hoodie) go head-to-head at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Adviser Michael McNeilly talks with members of the Riverview High School team at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Student teams prepare for competition at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ Executive Director Michel Conklin talks to students before competing in the BotsIQ preliminary matches Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Jackson Mock, 4, of Bedford shows his enthusiasm at the BotsIQ preliminary competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.

Punxsutawney High School’s BotsIQ robot, Dark Star, knocks Somerset CTC’s robot, Block, up in the air and across the arena at the 18th annual BotsIQ competition Thursday at WCCC’s Hempfield campus.