PennWest University’s California campus will once again host one of western Pennsylvania’s most high-energy STEM competitions as the BotsIQ Finals return to the Convocation Center April 10–11.
Now in its 21st year, the annual event is expected to bring together 79 high school teams, 531 students, 162 teachers and 196 volunteers from across the region to compete in a unique, hands-on engineering challenge: designing, building and battling 15-pound combat robots in a bracket-style, high-intensity arena.
The BotsIQ Finals serve as the culmination of a months-long program that connects students with real-world applications in manufacturing, engineering and the skilled trades. Through a hands-on, professional manufacturing model, students design, build and test their robots while gaining in-demand skills in areas such as engineering design, machining and programming.
“BotsIQ gives students the opportunity to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it in a real, hands-on environment,” said Dr. Jennifer Wilburn, interim associate dean and professor in the PennWest College of Science, Technology and Business.
“From design to fabrication to competition, they’re developing technical skills and confidence while working alongside industry mentors — and that kind of experience is invaluable as they begin to explore career pathways.”
Throughout the program, students work alongside educators and industry mentors, building not only technical expertise but also critical skills in teamwork, communication and problem-solving. The competition itself showcases those efforts in a full-contact robotics environment where design, durability and strategy determine who advances.
Experiences like BotsIQ reflect PennWest’s commitment to providing practical, career-connected learning while helping bridge the gap between education and industry. By connecting students with industry professionals and real-world challenges, the program also supports growing workforce needs and introduces participants to pathways in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing and engineering.
BotsIQ is a workforce development initiative of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Foundation, created to increase awareness of manufacturing careers and build the next generation of skilled workers. The program connects schools with local manufacturers and industry partners, creating meaningful pathways from the classroom to the workforce.
For more information about the competition, visit botsiqpa.org.
About PennWest University
PennWest University is a public, multi-campus institution connecting students with purposeful education that puts their ambitions within reach. With campuses in California, Clarion, Edinboro, and Global Online, PennWest combines academic quality, real-world relevance, and flexible pathways to support student success. Learn more at pennwest.edu.
Pictured: A student works on his robot at last year's BotsIQ competition at PennWest California.