Robotics club size doubles gaining more students interested in manufacturing.

West Springfield, MA December 24, 2014

Cost estimating software developer, MTI Systems, Inc., announces their second year support to "MIGHTY Mechanics," one of Agawams FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics club.

"During the 2013-2014 year, FIRST Robotics clubs demonstrated such success, thanks to contributions from local businesses," reports Jay Cameron, MIGHTY Mechanics Coach, "that this year, the FTC group in Agawam has enough interested students that they split into two clubs. The new FTC club, registered as FTC90 is called ‘OMG."

Since 1992, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, http://www.usfirst.org) has been inspiring young people to pursue technology-based careers and become science and manufacturing leaders. FIRST offers (4) levels of robotics programs, for students ranging in grade levels from Kindergarten until high school. Starting at the kindergarten level, students can join Junior FIRST Lego League (Jr. FLL) and FLL to build robots using pre-manufactured Legos. The next level, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), is for grades 7th through 12th, building a robot using pre-drilled Tetrix parts, as well as manufacturing custom fabricated metal so that the robot fits within an 18" cube box. The last level, FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is for high school students who manufacture a robot up to 5 feet tall and 150 pounds.

Each year the robots are assigned new competition challenges. Each club then designs, manufactures, assembles and tests their robot to meet the competitions strategic requirements. Additionally, each club engages in community events and activities to help encourage further development of the future clubs while learning more about science and technology. Activities may include sharing information and presentations to seniors, schools, and children who otherwise might miss these types of career-guiding opportunities.

"As a cost estimating software provider for manufacturers worldwide, it makes perfect sense helping young engineers become acquainted with manufacturing at such an early age," remarks Thomas Charkiewicz, president of MTI Systems. "We are pleased, once again, to help students in our local communities participate with more resources in this career building opportunity."

About MIGHTY Mechanics
MIGHTY Mechanics is an Agawam FIRST FTC robotics program that provides fun and educational inspiration to help club members grow and learn more about robots and other business-oriented tasks. For more information about the Agawam, MA FIRST FTC robotics club, send an email to ftccoach(at)agawamrobotics(dot)org or visit http://ftc839.agawamrobotics.org/.

About MTI Systems, Inc.
MTI Systems, Inc. offers cost estimating, quoting and process planning software for the manufacturing suppliers and OEMs. Costimator software has been implemented at over 1,500 companies worldwide resulting in over 10,000-trained users since its inception in 1982. Contact Information: MTI Systems, Inc., 59 Interstate Drive, West Springfield, Mass., 01089, USA, 800-644-4318, http://www.mtisystems.com.