It's a gladiator-style battle of custom, student-built robots. BotsIQ took southwestern Pennsylvania by storm in 2006. In three years, the competition has nearly tripled in size and organizers are gearing up for the best event yet, slated for March 2008.

But, before these robots can compete, they have to be designed and constructed. Teams from 29 area schools have signed on for the challenge - along with their teachers, who were taught the art and science of robot buildings in a "teach the teacher" program recently held at California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U) and Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) in October.

A significant portion of the morning session was devoted to building relationships with industry partners and technical advisors. Teams developed strategies with technical advisors.

In the afternoon, the actual arena was in place and a true simulation of the actual event, including battling robots, took place. Cal U students participated as competition officials. Any team with a functioning robot to test or show off brought them to this event.

The trainers were at both locations and BotsIQ captured photos of local participants, who are committed to the 2008 competition. Local schools readying to compete are: Albert Gallatin Area High School, Belle Vernon Area High School, Connellsville Area High School, Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School and the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, which sees students attending from Fayette County.

The story behind BattleBots
When BattleBots aired on cable TV, homemade, remote-controlled robots squared off in competition. It made for good television and a fan-base grew with each season. Among avid followers, producers noticed a great number of students who not only enjoyed the show, but wanted to get in on the action. BotsIQ was born.

Show creators put together a Robotics Curriculum based on the National Curriculum Standards and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) mechanical engineering methodology, teacher training and a national competition where students showcase their custom-built robots and compete for top honors.

That was six years ago and now the "smart sport" is sweeping the nation. Students love BotsIQ because it makes education fun - drawing on their knowledge of math, science, engineering and even public speaking. Educators love BotsIQ because of the enthusiasm it sparks in their students and the resources it provides to their classroom.

But, it's the manufacturing industry that is standing behind this new sport because of the potential impact it has on business. Young people who are interested in how things are made are the future of the high-tech manufacturing workforce.