PPG Foundation takes engineering skills on the move with X-Bots Robotics

Published : 18-Oct-2022

What happens when the PPG Foundation, X-Bots Robotics and Boys & Girls Clubs of America team up to create hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning? An immersive lesson in engineering that inspires teens to pursue a career in STEM and serve their communities.

The PPG Foundation continued its support of the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program, a STEM program that partners youth in a Robotics team with participating teens from Boys & Girls Clubs, challenging them to work together to build specially designed physical therapy cars for toddlers with cerebral disorders affecting their body mobility.

During Boys & Girls Clubs of America‘s National Keystone Conference in Anaheim, California, X-Bots Robotics trained 100 Keystone Club teen leaders on its X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program. The training prepares youth leaders to become peer mentors at their local Clubs, encouraging kids to apply practical solutions and share lessons in engineering all while having fun. 

“PPG and X-Bots, our missions and values align. At PPG we really understand the importance of STEM education to create the future leaders of America. X-Bots Robotics and the Go Baby Go program are essential for doing that,” Mike Soisson, PPG manufacturing engineer and volunteer.  

At the conference, the X-Bots Robotics teams and Boys & Girls Clubs youth leaders put their skills to work modifying more than 20 cars for toddlers with mobility challenges. Over 100 volunteers joined the training, including local PPG employees.

“Through this partnership, our aim is to open future opportunities to both the students who will find and explore their passions in STEM fields and families who will benefit from the new mobility cars,” said Malesia Dunn, Executive Director, PPG Foundation and Corporate Global Social Responsibility. “In all that we do, we aim to protect and beautify the world. The X-Bots Robotics program reinforces this by fueling future inventors with inspiration and the joy of experimentation and discovery while experiencing the immediate impacts both community service and STEM concepts make in the lives of others.”

In 2022, the PPG Foundation supported X-Bots Robotics as it expanded its program of STEM educational opportunities to impact a greater number of students, toddlers, and their families.

“Through the generous support of the PPG Foundation, we’re launching a nationwide expansion of the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program across Boys & Girls Clubs to bring STEM programming to youth who can explore these disciplines,” said Elisa Avila, Executive Director of X-Bots Robotics Inc. “We’re glad that together with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we can offer this hands-on technical engineering programming.”

View a video on the program to see the teens and volunteers in action here and below.

X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program presented by PPG at BGCA National Keystone Conference


Photo credit: Kimberly Guzman

Video credit: Jordan Rennert