Greenwood High School students look on while the robot they programmed serves coffee.

Students at Greenwood High School and Charleston High School were able to showcase the knowledge they’ve gained through concurrent credit robotics courses from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith May 8 when they programmed a robot to serve coffee from a Keurig coffee maker.

 

Representatives from UAFS, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and Walmart visited robotics laboratories at the two schools Monday to see the robots in action. The students are taking the robotics courses through the university’s Regional Workforce Grants it received from the ADHE.

 

The students programmed the robots to open the Keurig, grab a K-Cup, place it in the Keurig, and start the brewing process. Afterwards, it took the coffee and poured it into a separate cup.

 

The Regional Workforce Grants were given to UAFS to help train students for emerging workforce needs. In addition to robotics courses, the university also offers courses in computer programming and networking for students. Both options offer courses to students that are part of UAFS degree plans, meaning students can seamlessly transition into collegiate studies after graduating from high school.

 

For more information about the Regional Workforce Grants, contact Amanda Seidenzahl, director of the Regional Workforce Grants, at 479-788-7780 or Amanda.seidenzahl@uafs.edu.

 

About the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is the premiere regional institution of Western Arkansas, connecting education with careers and serving as a driver of economic development and quality of place in the greater Fort Smith region. Through a small campus, dedicated professors, and the university’s unique bond with its community, students at UAFS are able to do more in the areas they are passionate about, both on- and off-campus, in a way that prepares them for post-graduate success. To find out how you can do more at UAFS, visit www.uafs.edu.