Washington State Community College touts robotics program at open house
On Monday at the Washington State Community College open house, George Bilokonsky, dean of technology and transfer at WSCC, right, explains what Programmable Logic Controllers are in a factory setting while surrounded by students and parents. (Photo by Kyle Nichols)
Students and parents watch basic materials become a clock on a simulated factory process at the Washington State Community College open house on Monday. (Photo by Kyle Nichols)
George Bilokonsky, dean of technology and transfer at Washington State Community College, gave examples of how code is sent to different machines, and students were able to flick a switch to get the program running on Monday at WSCC’s open house. (Photo by Kyle Nichols)
On Monday at the Washington State Community College open house, George Bilokonsky, dean of technology and transfer at WSCC, right, explains what Programmable Logic Controllers are in a factory setting while surrounded by students and parents. (Photo by Kyle Nichols)
Students and parents watch basic materials become a clock on a simulated factory process at the Washington State Community College open house on Monday. (Photo by Kyle Nichols)
George Bilokonsky, dean of technology and transfer at Washington State Community College, gave examples of how code is sent to different machines, and students were able to flick a switch to get the program running on Monday at WSCC’s open house. (Photo by Kyle Nichols)
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Washington State Community College held an open house for its Robotics Automation Engineering program on Monday, with plans to hold another session today.
In partnership with the Washington County Career Center, local high school students have been bussed to WSCC's Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Center where they can earn credits towards college and a head-start into employment.
During the first open house session Monday evening, students were taken through the four unique robotics labs at the college. They were shown how to navigate valves, pneumatics, the different workstations and how to program a Computer Numerical Control machine. The tours were mostly a show-and-tell because students need prior knowledge and skills before they can operate the machines.
A group of local students and parents packed inside one of the robotics classrooms and listened to Dennis Blatt, superintendent at Washington County Career Center, talk about the benefits of the programs.
"I'm fortunate to be able to offer this once in a lifetime opportunity," Blatt said.
After seeing a demonstration of some coding, Warren High School student Jacob Brown said he could see himself going into the program.
"Engineering is always the most interesting because you get to build stuff. It's cool," Brown said.
The entire tour was steps in the program to the final simulated factory process where students were able to watch machines automatically create a clock from basic materials.
"It'll wrap the metal, take it through the etching. The whole package," said Gary Barber, director of workforce development at WSCC. "Each of these different robots is hooked up to a wireless system. So what we are really trying to do is create a student that can go into a career in the future and increase efficiency."
After watching the factory process, Marietta High School student Aaron Vessels said he is thinking about going into the program if he can work it around other college courses he is taking.
"It was fabulous," Vessels said. "I would probably go into engineering if I were to really pursue this."
Amanda Herb, vice president of institutional advancement at WSCC, said that she believes the program is not on students' radars but they can open that door for them.
"I think it gives students a new pathway they haven't considered," Herb said. "Robotics aren't just in big cities anymore."
George Bilokonsky, dean of technology and transfer, said he was pleased with how the night went and is looking forward to students coming into the program.
"For how many rural kids are out here, it was a big turnout," Bilokonsky said. "All the kids seemed interested in the program."