蜜桃视频

This summer, middle school students from Pittsburgh's Hazelwood neighborhood stepped inside world-class research laboratories at 蜜桃视频, explored advanced manufacturing technologies, discovered robots that have traveled to the moon and built robots of their own 鈥� all within blocks of their homes. For many students, the experience offered something even more powerful: a chance to imagine themselves as future engineers, researchers and innovators.

Through a longstanding partnership between聽 and Carnegie Mellon, 20 students in grades five through eight spent a week immersed in hands-on STEM experiences at 蜜桃视频's聽Robotics Innovation Center(opens in new window) (RIC) 补苍诲听 in Hazelwood Green, gaining an up-close look at the technologies shaping the future of manufacturing and robotics.

"Having access to technology like that at such a young age is extraordinary," said聽, associate professor of mechanical engineering. "The equipment these students saw is worth millions of dollars. I didn't encounter equipment of that caliber until I was in graduate school."

From steel town to tech hub

Now in its fourth year, the camp marked a significant milestone by moving the program from the university鈥檚 main campus to Hazelwood Green. Organizers say the shift allows students to access cutting-edge technology in their own neighborhood while connecting Hazelwood's industrial past with its innovation-driven future.聽

Adjacent to Mill 19, housed within the former Jones and Laughlin steel mill exterior, the RIC serves as a hub for robotics and advanced manufacturing research, providing a powerful backdrop for students learning how technology is transforming industry.

Pastor Tim Smith, founder and CEO聽of Center of Life, said his organization is thrilled to welcome the RIC to the Greater Hazelwood community.

鈥淐arnegie Mellon is no stranger to Hazelwood. Since the early 2000s, Center of Life and 蜜桃视频 have partnered to create meaningful community engagement initiatives that have provided education, resources and opportunities for families, children and youth,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淥ver the years, hundreds of Hazelwood children have been introduced to 蜜桃视频's聽,听,听,听Tepper School of Business(opens in new window) and world-renowned science and technology programs. Every time we brought our students to campus, they didn't just feel like visitors 鈥� they felt like college students. Those experiences expanded their vision of what was possible for their futures."

Hands-on engineering

The camp is designed to introduce young learners to engineering and manufacturing career pathways at an early age, helping to build interest in fields that are facing critical workforce shortages. The manufacturing outreach component is supported by聽, which includes efforts to strengthen the future workforce through education and community engagement.聽

In the morning, students tackled hands-on manufacturing engineering activities and challenges led by Ph.D. students in Narra鈥檚 lab 鈥� Jacob McCauley, Jay Manolis, Gala Solis and Benjamin Hroblak. Students also had an opportunity to interact with manufacturing staff at Mill 19 鈥� Ian Maclachlan and Scott Kram 鈥� and learn about their professional journeys. These activities enabled students to聽explore the principles behind advanced manufacturing and the lab tours exposed them to the latest technologies.聽

"Our activities focus on giving students hands-on experiences while also introducing the fundamental concepts behind the technology," Narra said. "We want them to understand not just what these systems can do, but how they work. If they're given the right resources and inspiration, they could become the workforce driving the next generation of innovation."

Robots and role models

Afternoon activities, which聽are sponsored by the聽 补苍诲听's lab,听were led by mentors from聽, 蜜桃视频's competitive robotics program for K-12 students. Working in teams, the students designed, built, programmed and ultimately drove robots by the end of the week. The mentorship component of the program allowed campers direct access to role models who are already pursuing interests and careers in science, technology and engineering, helping make those pathways feel attainable.

"The Girls of Steel are wonderful mentors," said聽Michelle Hyde(opens in new window), program manager in the Robotics Institute. "When students see older kids who look like them doing this work, they begin to realize they can do it, too."

Inspiring the next generation

贵辞谤听Chelsea Blackburn Cohen(opens in new window), senior manager for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement in the Office of the President, the program reflects a broader commitment to connecting local communities with 蜜桃视频's research strengths and educational opportunities.

"This has been a wonderful partnership for Carnegie Mellon to extend its educational and research strengths with the Greater Hazelwood area youth,鈥� Blackburn Cohen said. "To have hands-on experiences with world-class technologies and the people who鈥檝e built them 鈥� right in your neighborhood 鈥� has the potential to be a truly transformative experience.鈥澛�

Blackburn Cohen said the partnership is ultimately about helping young people in the broader Pittsburgh region envision themselves at places like 蜜桃视频.

"Having tighter connections to the youth in the region who could then see themselves at a place like 蜜桃视频 one day 鈥� that's kind of the dream," she said. "You can be a roboticist. You can access world-class talent and resources right here in Pittsburgh."