Tech Wars Celebrates 10th Anniversary at GCC

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Students competing in the 2016 Tech Wars High School Bridge Design

BATAVIA, NY (03/07/2017) (readMedia)-- As Genesee Community College students prepare for their well-earned Spring Break next week, more than 600 regional middle and high school students are preparing for the 10th Annual Tech Wars held Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the College's Batavia Campus. The yearly event matches area middle and high school students against each other in many competitions including the Robotic Tractor Pull, Catapults and SUMO Bots in the gymnasium, the Regatta in the Aquatics Center, and Bridge Designing is in the central Forum.

Hosted by the College's ACE (Accelerated College Enrollment) Program for students in the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties) region, this will be the 10th year that Tech Wars brings area middle and high school students to GCC's Batavia campus where teams of students work collaboratively to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions. The students arrive on GCC's Batavia Campus at 8:30 a.m., with the competitions scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony luncheon from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Students participate in a variety of challenges, many in groups of two or more. Most of the competitions involve bringing projects they've been working on to GCC's Batavia campus. New competitions this year include the Paper Airplane and the Skimmer Car.

"There is something new and exciting for the students to show their originality and compete in every year," Debbie Dunlevy, GCC Career Pathways director said. "Tech Wars requires teamwork and collaboration and shows students how their creativity and innovation can lead to career opportunities down the road."

In addition to the two new competitions listed above, there are 30 other events to challenge students in an array of technologies. The 2017 Middle School events include: Catapult, CO2 Car and Truck Challenge, Logo Design, Mystery Project, Rube Goldberg, Sculpture and Tower. The 2017 High School events include: Bridge Design, Architectural Design in CAD, CO2 Car and Truck Challenge, King of the Hill, Logo, Mystery Project, On Site CAD Project, Regatta, Reverse Engineered CAD Drawing, Robotic Tractor Pull, Sculpture Event, SUMO Bots and Trebuchet which must launch a projectile at a given target 40 feet away.

For the rules and details on all these competitions, go to http://www.techwarsgcc.org/.

The event would not be possible without significant sponsorships. At the $500 (or more) level are Amada Machine Tools America Inc., Graham Corporation, Liberty Pumps and Northeast Technologies, Inc. Other sponsors include Baxter, DWB Enterprises, Inc., Lee Shuknecht & Sons, Takeform, Varysburg Lions Club and Web Feat Works.

"We thank all of our sponsors for their support in helping to create a successful event for all participants," Dunlevy said. "Without them, it wouldn't be possible."

The ACE Program's Career Pathways helps students explore career options and make a smooth transition from high school to college and ultimately to professional careers. Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings and with industry professionals.