Today is Manufacturing Day, a national celebration of the people and skills that turn ideas into real things. For FIRST Robotics Competition Team 11214, the [cy]BEARCATS of Bainbridge High School, manufacturing isn't something we only read about. It's how we built our first robot, our pit, and our team.

Every robot starts as an idea, but it doesn't stay that way for long. Through the Georgia Tech Advanced Manufacturing Pathways program, our school gained a new Engineering Lab and redesigned its engineering pathway into a SMART Manufacturing pathway. Instructors from Georgia Tech mentored our team in 3D modeling with Fusion, printing parts on Bambu Lab 3D printers, writing machine code for a Tormach CNC machine, and using Python to collect data. Seven of our team members have already completed the first level of the pathway. These are the same tools and processes used in modern manufacturing, and we use them to design, test, and improve our robot through the Engineering Design Process.

Manufacturing also taught us that no team builds alone. Our AG Mechanics program taught us about metal fabrication and custom welded our pit structure. Our AG Construction program helped six of our members earn OSHA safety certification and built practice field elements so we could prepare for matches. Our school store produced our team swag and helped with our branding. As our team wrote in our Impact story, "We believe that for STEM to be 'for everyone,' it must include the student in the welding mask and the student at the keyboard alike."

For Joel, our team's CAD and 3D printing lead, manufacturing is about more than making parts. Joel also works on our build team, drives our robot, and writes code, turning complex ideas into real parts one layer at a time. He has learned that the same thinking used to fix a mechanical failure on a robot can be used to take on bigger challenges. "Because of the FIRST robotics program, I no longer look at the world's problems as someone else's responsibility," Joel said. "I now have the skills, the network, and the drive to be the solution."

We are now taking those skills further. Our team builds ABii robots and designs 3D printed clothing for them as part of a partnership with Early Childhood Education students, who use the robots to help young learners practice math, reading, and social skills. We are also improving our robot, KIT CAT, with 3D modeling as we prepare for the GRITS off-season competition.

Manufacturing Day reminds us that the next generation of engineers, machinists, designers, and technicians is already at work in schools like ours. We want to thank our mentors, our CTAE pathways, and every partner who has opened their shop doors and shared their know-how. Bearcats build tomorrow, and we're building it right here in Bainbridge.

Want to support our team or learn more? CONTACT US OR SCHEDULE A TOUR TO SEE OUR STUDENTS IN ACTION