Corning Helps Turn Technology into Tradition

Challenged with real-world problems, future technology leaders ages six through 18 are using Corning Area Robotics as a mechanism to create innovative solutions. Leveraging ideas and a diverse set of skills through robotics, Corning has helped turn technology into tradition in the Twin-Tiers region for more than 15 years through employee volunteers and sponsorship. While working with cutting-edge technology, students are engaging with 3D printing and computer programming – all while gaining the soft skills that will become invaluable to their professional development.

Launching as a small operation in 2005/06, the program has gone through several location and operational changes to keep the program sustainable. It has now expanded into a local phenomenon, encapsulating 100+ students each year, with a new and dedicated robotics space in the old Pier One building in Horseheads, NY, and 20 volunteers from Corning who help manage the teams. Each year, coaches and students each volunteer up to 500 hours towards their projects which compete in national competitions. For the third-consecutive year, the Corning robotics program has qualified for the FIRST Championships in Houston, which will take place from April 20–23, 2022.

“It’s exciting to see the dedication and commitment of the students and coaches result in national recognition,” said Sam Zoubi, director, Modeling, Software & Analytics. “A wealth of talent exists in our Corning Valley communities – something that continues to benefit our company and the larger area.”

Sam has been engaged with the program since 2004, when he got involved as a parent with Mike Al-Zoubi, who now is a manufacturing engineer with Corning Pharmaceutical Technologies. Since then, Sam has worked with hundreds of students – some of which have gone on to solve real-world technology problems at Corning. “I’ve been doing this so long, and every year, the students are going on to achieve greater things,” Sam said. “The program continues to give back to our people, to the community, to technology – it’s an interconnected tradition. It has been a massive part of my life for nearly 20 years, and I’ve watched it grow into the experience that it continues to be to this day.”

The Robotics program has also extended their outreach to host program chapters in Keller, TX, and several locations in North Carolina near Corning facilities. The program’s impact reaches on a global scale, too, extending as far as Rwanda in East Africa. Carlos Alonzo, technology project manager, Corning Automotive Glass Solutions (AGS), launched a Robotics program in Rwanda with Eric Biribuze, director, Commercial Operations & Business Excellence (AGS) and founder of the non-profit organization, STELA. Carlos is looking forward to getting the program in Rwanda up and running again in the fall, which, recently, has been an obstacle due to COVID-19. “Despite the challenges of having to remote in and convey thoughts and ideas digitally, you can still see their eagerness to get the program going,” Carlos said.

The robotics club’s success stems from its core cause: to deliver both soft and technical skills to the community that can be used in a professional setting, no matter the field the students intend to pursue. That goal goes beyond robotics and into Corning’s facilities, where students are given the opportunity to apply for industrial experience through an internship at the Sullivan Park campus – a liaison between robotics and Corning, giving 10-12 high school students life-changing exposure and experiences. The internship program is supported by Jason Harris, manager, Modeling, Software, and Analytics, who also participates in the robotics program as a judge and referee. “These students that join the internship program get a taste of Research & Development before they graduate high school,” Jason said. “We give them meaningful projects to work on in real time. It’s something that’s invaluable to Corning to be able to give this opportunity to the future that resides right in our community.”

“We often mistake our interns with college students and employees,” said Sam. “Our interns are well beyond their years, and I continue to be amazed by the things they accomplish.”

Click here to learn more about Corning Area Robotics.

Madeline Ortiz, currently a senior at Corning-Painted Post High School, has committed to Cornell University School of Engineering to major in chemical engineering and minor in computer science. Part of the passion she acquired for her future stems from the robotics program, where she not only helped create championship winning projects, but learned various soft skills needed in her future.

Both Eugene Brown, team lead, Global Security Operations Center (GSOC), and Sam Bickham, machine automation systems engineer, turned their love of building toy sets into solving technology challenges with Corning Area Robotics in middle school. Now, they’re solving world changing problems at Corning.

From a diverse collection of businesses and organizations, some of Corning’s best continue to invest in the future of technology problem solvers – giving back to the program that helped them achieve the success they’ve earned throughout their time at Corning.