EDGMONT TWP, PA — BLAST Robotics showcased its new competition robot, Nix, on Oct. 1 at the Community Career + Education Forum in Edgmont Township, using the event to expose younger students to robotics while building support for a broader technical-education pipeline.
The team, FIRST Robotics Competition Team 10989, is a program of Berwyn-based nonprofit Keystone STEM Alliance. Nix is scheduled to compete Oct. 24 at Ramp Riot 2026, the 26th annual robotics competition at Wissahickon High School in Ambler.
At the forum, held at the Endress+Hauser Northeast Regional Center, elementary and middle school students worked with smaller robots while high school students and adults gathered around Nix.
Student leaders Lemuel Xu, Virat, Vivaan, Mayon, Aaryan, Brady and Priyanka led demonstrations, explained the technology and answered questions. Parent volunteers handled transportation, logistics and other event operations.
The forum is designed to introduce students and families to education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Hari Ponugoti, a BLAST Robotics coach and mentor, credited Endress+Hauser sales engineer Luke Xu with connecting the team to the event. Students also toured the company’s facility.
Keystone STEM Alliance is seeking businesses, foundations and individual supporters to help finance its robotics and technical-training programs through sponsorships, grants, equipment donations and volunteer mentorship.
The nonprofit said additional support would be used to keep programs affordable, provide student scholarships and expand its maker studio and fabrication lab.
Its longer-term plans call for developing registered apprenticeship programs and eventually establishing a two-year technical school focused on practical skills, industry credentials and workforce preparation.
Keystone STEM Alliance also operates robotics summer camps and Venturing Crew 181 in addition to BLAST Robotics.
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