The Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition, an OMA-Endorsed Industry Sector Partnership, recently hosted its first BattleBots competition in Marietta, giving students the opportunity to design, build, and test robots while applying real-world STEM and manufacturing skills. The event brought students together for hands-on learning experiences that encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity while increasing awareness of modern manufacturing careers.

Events like this help manufacturers connect with students in engaging and meaningful ways while showcasing the technical and innovative nature of today’s manufacturing industry. By combining competition-based learning with industry engagement, the BattleBots event highlighted how hands-on experiences can spark early interest in engineering, robotics, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing career pathways. 5/12/2026