At Rockford robotics event, NIU CEET supports young innovators

On July 27, NIU's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology was a proud sponsor of the Rock River Robotics Off-Season Competition (R2OC) at Rock Valley College in Rockford.

On hand were 33 teams from throughout Illinois as well as Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Indiana.

The STEM event attracted talented youth, mostly high schoolers, who design, build, program and operate robots that compete on a custom field of play. The young competitors sported colorful and creative names and uniforms, with names such as Ferra Dermis (Latin for "iron skin") and Crowbotics and Gear It Forward.

Family members and other supporters cheered on the team members from the bleachers amid upbeat music that helped create a festive atmosphere.

Gary Smith, CEET's director of outreach and diversity, said the level of support from families, coaches and mentors was impressive.

“In talking to parents, more than once I heard stories about how their child was not motivated in school before getting involved in robotics teams,” Smith added. “Their grades and outlook toward school improved dramatically.”

He also praised programs that provide opportunities for children to get involved in robotics as early as grade school, along with those programs that continue to build on that foundation in middle school.

“It was inspiring to see the passion and ingenuity of so many future engineers," CEET Dean David Grewell said. “I was really impressed by the commitment, creativity and determination that these students demonstrated. CEET is excited to play a role in building on this region’s rich history of business progress and innovation.”

In addition to Grewell, also in attendance from CEET were Reinaldo Moraga, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Outreach and Diversity; Bernie Luecke, Outreach and Partnerships Manager; Ghazi Malkawi, a member of the NIU Engineering at RVC Faculty; and 2024 CEET graduate Mohamed Alani, who led a national award-winning Huskie team this year at the NFPA’s Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge.

Through its NIU Engineering at RVC program at Rock Valley College, created in 2016, CEET has a strong presence to serve Rockford-area students. The community-based, industry-integrated program is a collaboration between NIU, Rock Valley College (RVC) and regional industry partners to foster local talent.

Students earn their NIU degree in mechanical engineering seamlessly for their last two years, taught by NIU faculty at RVC. In addition, Rockford-area community and industry partners offer scholarships, mentorship, internships and job opportunities, connecting students to professional experiences and building their career network.

Founded in 2012, R2OC is a not-for-profit organization that provides significant community service and giveback programs. For the eighth straight year, R2OC awarded post-secondary education scholarships to participating juniors and seniors.

On Saturday, scholarships went to six students, including two who will continue their post-secondary education at Rock Valley College via the RVC Foundation Gamechanger Scholarship and the Norma J. Trojan Scholarship.