Heatwaves Robotics gave young students the opportunity to take the controls and drive our robot, creating an exciting, hands-on introduction to robotics. Our team engaged families by demonstrating how coding, engineering, and technology come together to bring a robot to life.

Through interactive demonstrations, we showcased our robot’s capabilities and encouraged students to explore their curiosity about STEM. We also shared our team’s journey in FIRST Tech Challenge, showing young students that they can build, create, and succeed in robotics and innovation.

Heatwaves Robotics hosted a two-day, hands-on FTC outreach program at the YMCA, giving students an engaging introduction to robotics and STEM. Our team developed and implemented a custom curriculum designed to make robotics accessible, interactive, and exciting for students of different experience levels.

Through hands-on activities, students explored fundamental robotics concepts while gaining insight into how engineering, programming, and teamwork come together. We also introduced students to FIRST programs and opportunities, helping them understand the pathways available to continue their involvement in robotics and STEM beyond the program.

Heatwaves Robotics engaged students at Edmund Elementary through a hands-on FTC outreach program designed to make robotics and STEM accessible and exciting. Our team developed and delivered a custom curriculum that introduced students to the engineering design process through interactive activities and real-world problem-solving.

By bringing FIRST experiences directly to students in a community with limited access to robotics programs, we helped expand opportunities for young learners to explore STEM. The program also allowed Heatwaves to build new connections within the engineering community while inspiring students to see themselves as future engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Heatwaves Robotics partnered with MidAmerican Energy to bring the excitement of FIRST Tech Challenge robotics to Iowa State Fair visitors. Across four hours of hands-on demonstrations, our team showcased our robot, shared our experiences in FIRST, and engaged more than 500 attendees in conversations about robotics, engineering, and STEM opportunities.

This outreach event gave Heatwaves the opportunity to inspire students and families from across Iowa to explore STEM and discover how they can get involved in FIRST. By bringing competitive robotics beyond the classroom and into the community, we strengthened our mission to make STEM education accessible, engaging, and impactful.

Heatwaves Robotics toured Gene Haas to gain firsthand insight into advanced manufacturing and the engineering processes used in industry. Our team explored how professional tools, technologies, and manufacturing practices connect to the skills we develop through FIRST Tech Challenge robotics.

The experience gave our students valuable exposure to real-world engineering careers while helping us build a meaningful relationship with an industry leader. This connection ultimately led to sponsorship support, strengthening Heatwaves’ ability to continue developing our team and expanding our impact in STEM.

Heatwaves Robotics connected with engineers at Coviance through in-person discussions focused on robotics, engineering, and STEM careers. Our team had the opportunity to present our FTC program and share how FIRST develops technical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

Through these conversations, we gained valuable insight into how the skills we develop in robotics translate to real-world engineering environments. Engaging directly with STEM professionals also allowed our team to build professional connections, learn from industry experience, and strengthen our understanding of future opportunities in STEM.