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College hosts fifth annual Tech Wars competition for sixth- through 12th-graders

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to once again offer an exciting hands-on opportunity for area middle- and high-school students to apply what they know about technology and learn even more. The fifth annual Tech Wars competition will take place this Thursday, March 15 at the Batavia campus.

The competition is open to middle- and high-school students, who will participate in multiple project-based events of skill, chance and ability. Events will include CO2 dragster design; AutoCAD technical drawing and architectural design; logo design; manual drafting; sculpture; web page design; bridge design; catapult; mousetrap cars; robot tractor pull; Rube Goldberg demonstration; king of the hill and the ever-popular sumo robots.

Teams of students aged 9 through 14 will also compete in the NXT/RCX robotic marshmallow catapult launch to try to propel their marshmallows the farthest from various points.

"The interest in this competition continues to grow each year because it's fun, but it also illustrates the how the broad range of careers in technology young people can explore," said Debbie Dunlevy, GCC tech prep program director and co-chair of the Tech Wars competition. "The Tech Wars encourage kids to think beyond the classroom, engage their creativity and strengthen their team-building and problem-solving skills to embrace technology as a fun, yet rewarding, way to make a living."

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

For more information, please contact Debbie Dunlevy, Genesee Community College tech prep program director at 343-0055, ext. 6316, or dkdunlevy@genesee.edu or visit the Tech Wars website at http://www.techwarsgcc.org.

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