Photo By Branden Bourque | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, May 2, 2025: Science, Technology,...... read more read more
On May 2, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Outreach Program hosted the fourth annual Robotics Expo.
This event was organized by Robotics Mentor and PNSY Electrical Engineer Nick Piscitello. Piscitello mentors teams throughout Dover and was named mentor of the year in 2024. “The Robotics Expo is a fun way for Shipyard-supported teams to share their successes from the previous competition season – it’s my favorite outreach event of the year!” said Piscitello. “Being surrounded by the passion and creativity that students pour into their robots and team identity is awe-inspiring.”
The event allows students to showcase the robots they have been working on all year. “The Robotics Expo is proof of the significant positive impact the STEM Outreach Program has on local communities,” said Piscitello. “We had 12 teams in attendance, representing four separate competition programs and involving elementary, middle and high school students. Even with a packed house, that is only a fraction of the 47 robotics programs the Shipyard directly supported this year.”
The expo is also a chance for students to learn how some codes at the shipyard apply STEM in their work. The Lifting and Handling Department brought a virtual reality crane simulator for students to try, and the Engineering and Planning Department’s Mechanical Engineering division set up a valve demonstration.
Robotics mentor, and Submarine Maintenance Engineering Planning and Procurement Electronics Engineer Sue Hay, who mentors teams in Lee and Durham, New Hampshire, said that it’s not just about building a robot - it’s a process. “Mentoring robotics is not about teaching students how to build a robot, it’s all about helping the students grow – not just in their understanding of the technology around them; but more importantly learning how to ask the right questions, how to create a plan for success, and how to follow or modify that plan,” said Hay. Hay explained that it’s much like running a business, requiring students to do their own marketing and branding, build a website, present to sponsors and fundraise - along with developing code, acquiring parts and building and testing the robot.
Another facet of the robotics program is student outreach. Robotics Mentor and PNSY Assistant Chief Test Engineer Chris Herrick, who mentors the Blue Potato Lobsters, a community-based youth robotics program, travels across Maine and New Hampshire giving presentations to schools on how to start a robotics program. Herrick has mentored students from kindergarten through grade 12 and marvels at the progression. “As a mentor with the Blue Potato Lobsters Robotics Team, I have watched a group of students go from not understanding how to use simple hand tools to a group of students who are basically running a small business,” said Herrick.
Dover High School junior JP, who aspires to be an architect, said the STEM Outreach Robotics Program at PNSY has been a great opportunity for him to learn beyond the classroom. “It helps students try different things and learn what they like through experience,” said JP. “I was able to learn life skills, like how to work with other people as a team on a project and how to collaborate with other teams. I was also able to build connections and friendships.”
“It’s a way for kids to learn real-life skills and be exposed to something different,” said PNSY Production Resources Directives Coordinator and Robotics Mentor Kellen Brown. “This was the rookie season for the Shapleigh CyberSharks from Kittery, Maine, who formed a team made up mostly of those who graduated from the previous league and still had a drive for more robotics,” said Brown. “Everyone worked well together when facing challenges and is very excited to return again for next season to try and beat this year’s results.”
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2025 04:26 |
| Story ID: | 501109 |
| Location: | KITTERY, MAINE, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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