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K-12 Programming

K-12 Youth Programming

The AWT Foundation has developed impactful Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-to-career programs. Through these initiatives, AWT has engaged 22,087 students across 170 schools in 10 counties and hosted 149 events in 2025 alone. Signature programs like RoboBots, JuniorBots, and the Think Manufacturing Career Expo have exposed students to manufacturing careers and connected them with local companies. AWT has also facilitated over 2,500 tours of manufacturing facilities for students, teachers, and parents, as well as professional development opportunities for educators.

Parents, educators, and manufacturers all have a vital role in engaging students in STEM learning. Click below to see the ways you can involve your student, class, or company.

AWT offers extensive STEM programming for grades K-12.

Learn more with our program guide below or download the guide here.

AWT is happy to accommodate field trips from schools, educational sites, and other community partners!

  • For field trips to the AWT Transformation Training Center, we request that organizations abide by the following guidelines:   
    • A chaperone-to-attendee ratio that follows Ohio Administrative Code Rule 5180-32-03.
    • All attendees must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. All hair of shoulder-length or longer must be pulled back. 
    • Organizations are responsible for arranging their own transportation and, if necessary, food. 
  • Please reach out to monica_hammil@thinkmfg.com at least one month in advance of your preferred dates to arrange a trip. 

ROBOBOTS AND JUNIORBOTS INFORMATION FOR EDUCATORS

For starting a RoboBots team, educators should consider:
  • RoboBots is designed for students in grades 9-12 to build a 15-pound combat robot. 
  • The program kicks off at the end of October and continues through the end of April. The competition is always the last Saturday in April, but teams must also attend Interview & Safety Day on the last Friday in April.
    • For the 2025-2026 season, Interview & Safety Day will be Friday, April 24th, 2026, and Competition Day will be Saturday, April 25th, 2026. 
  • The ideal team size is somewhere between 6 and 12 students, although there is no minimum or maximum. 
  • Teams are sponsored by local manufacturers who cover the cost of materials, machining, and assist teams by providing an industry advisor. 
  • Schools must provide a coach, teacher, or other advisor to work with the students. 
  • If you are interested in starting a RoboBots team, please reach out to Monica Hammil at monica_hammil@thinkmfg.com.
 
For starting a JuniorBots team, educators should consider:
  • JuniorBots is designed for students in grades 6-8 to build a 3-pound combat robot.
  • The program kicks off at the end of October and continues through the end of April. The competition is always the last Saturday in April. 
    • JuniorBots teams do not attend Interview & Safety Day.
    • For the 2025-2026 season, Competition Day will be Saturday, April 25th, 2026. 
  • The ideal team size is somewhere between 4 and 6 students.
    • For JuniorBots, there will be a maximum of four teams per school beginning in the 2025-26 season. 
  • Teams are sponsored by local manufacturers who cover the cost of materials, machining, and assist teams by providing an industry advisor. 
  • Schools must provide a coach, teacher, or other advisor to work with the students. 
  • If you are interested in starting a JuniorBots team, please reach out to Monica Hammil at monica_hammil@thinkmfg.com.