The Robotics Education & Outreach Alliance (REOA) was formed in 2022 to increase communication and collaboration amongst robotics competition practitioners and to build community. Created by like-minded individuals and organizations, the REOA strives to highlight and increase visibility of the role that competitive robotics play in STEM learning and workforce development. Members share a collective collaborative mindset and embrace the tenet that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”

REOA’s initiatives and work to date have centered on the following:

Building community and increasing communication amongst robotics competition practitioners

Education and advocacy

YPP (Youth Protection Policies/Programs)

Communication and Messaging

Alumni engagement

Data standardization

For more information about the REOA and how you and your organization can play a role and support initiatives, contact NCAT Co-PI, MATE Executive Director, and REOA Founder Jill Zande at jzande@marinetech.org.

Build Community

The REOA is committed to building a community of supportive robotics competition leaders. Increasing communication among competition administrators and leveraging the collective experience lead to a better experience for students. REOA looks to share best practices, including information regarding Youth Protection Policies and alumni engagement, with the entire robotics competition community.

Facilitate Access to Professional Development Opportunities

The REOA facilitates access to professional development opportunities for robotics educators and competition practitioners, alumni, and supporters. Professional development opportunities for REOA members include attending and presenting within the technical program of AUVSI XPONENTIAL. To learn more about the XPO, visit Xponential.

Standardization

The REOA analyzed data collected across robotics competitions to identify commonalities and potential opportunities to standardize language used to demographics, evaluate participant performance, and measure program impact. To see the results of the study, view the Robotics Education and Outreach Alliance Analysis Project - Institute of Competition Sciences Report.

Raise Awareness, Demonstrate Impact

The REOA is also committed to raising awareness of the role and impact that robotics competitions have on student learning and empowering students to develop the technical and employability skills needed for success in the workplace. By increasing visibility and elevating recognition, the REOA hopes to engage more students, parents, educators, administrators, policy makers, and employers in competitive robotics.

ALLIANCE LEADERS

Jill Zande, MATE Executive Director at the Marine Technology Society/NCAT
Joshua Neubert, Institute of Competition Sciences
Dan Mantz, Robotics Education and Competition Foundation

TEAM MEMBERS

Lindsey Groak, RoboNation
Katie Magrane, Zero Robotics and Innovation Learning Center
Shannan Palonis, Lawrence Technological University Robofest
Manuel Fernando Guzman, CEO and Founder of SOLACYT
Juliana Smith, RoboNation
Amelia Gulling, BattleBots Foundation
Dennis Courtney, STREAMWORKS
Barb Land, Square One Educational Network
Kenneth S. Berry, Ed. D, SMU Lyle School of Engineering
Andy Schaafs, REC Foundation
Chris Cartwright, Lawrence Technological University Robofest
Erin Rosenstock, STEM-ED
Tad Douce, EduEverything
Catrina Krueger, AVR Competition
Rohn Olson, AVR Competition
Michael Steiner, BEST
Michel Conklin, BotsIQ
Shannon Seaver, createMPLS

Robotics Education and Outreach Alliance: ICS Analysis Report

The research was conducted by the Institute of Competition Sciences, an independent education firm specializing in the design, management, and evaluation of educational competitions. The report is structured into four tasks with analysis and recommendations identified for each.. A final comprehensive list of recommendations is included as an appendix. View the report by visiting the Robotics Education and Outreach Alliance Analysis Project - Institute of Competition Sciences Report.

Meetings