It appears Warren County High School will be offering advanced robotics training as part of its curriculum in the near future.
The city Finance Committee has tentatively approved a donation of $30,000 as requested by Todd Herzog to help establish the training lab. Members Everett Brock, Mike Neal and Ben Newman unanimously approved the allocation and sent the measure to the full board for its consideration.
According to Herzog, the start-up cost is $114,099. With the city’s donation of $30,000 the school will have everything it needs to add advanced robotics to its curriculum.
“We needed $115,000 as a minimum to place a robotics lab at the high school,” said Herzog. “With this in mind, we set out about six to eight weeks ago to try to see what we could do to try to raise those funds. I’m pleased to report tonight the Warren County School Board did meet and approve $50,000. I’m also pleased to report I now have three commitments of $10,000 each from industry.”
The industry donations are coming from Bridgestone, Miniature Precision Components and McMinnville Electric System.
“My wife and I are going to put in $5,000,” said Herzog. “I have a niece that is going to put in $1,000. I have a sister that is going to put in $1,000. The Herzogs are represented at this robotics center. I’m requesting the city help us with $30,000. I realize that’s a lot of money but this is a very important project and it means a great deal to our future.”
The $115,000 will purchase:
• One robotic work cell with STEM cart and vision system at $41,584
• Seven MotoSlim software sets at $37,765
• Two video kiosks at $13,000
• Freight at $1,750
• Training for two instructors at $15,000
• Curriculum and instruction books at $5,000
Offering advanced robotics at the high school will go hand-in-hand with the advanced robotics training facility to be constructed at Motlow. According to preliminary design plans, it will be a 12,500-square-foot facility that has five classrooms. It will be located off Vo Tech Drive next to Tennessee College of Applied Technology on 4.3 acres that was donated by the county. The state recently awarded a $5.5 million grant toward that construction.
The committee’s recommendation will be sent to the full board for its consideration.