Past Events | Bismarck State College

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Past Events

Robotics and Advanced Technology Day Camp for Juniors and Seniors

On December 18, 2025, XR for VR funded by the U.S. Department of Education, hosted the “Robotics & Advanced Technology Day Camp” at Bismarck State College. This one-day event invited high school juniors and seniors with disabilities to dive into the world of automation and engineering. Participants spent the day building tabletop robots and programming fully functional robotic arms, using sensors to navigate obstacle courses and complete line-following challenges.

The workshop focused on making STEM accessible and fun, allowing students to experiment with both block-based and text-based coding. To keep the spark of innovation going, every participant received their own Robotic Arm Kit and Tabletop Robot to take home. By combining hands-on building with collaborative problem-solving, the camp helped these young innovators gain the confidence and technical skills needed to explore future careers in advanced technology.

Inspiring Tomorrow - CTE Educators Workshop

In July 2025, XR for VR funded by the U.S. Department of Education, hosted the “Inspiring Tomorrow: CTE Educators Workshop”, a four-day professional development experience for K–16 educators from across North Dakota. The event was held from Monday, July 14 through Thursday, July 17 at the Advanced Technology Center and the National Energy Center of Excellence on Bismarck State College’s campus.

Designed to empower educators with tools to inspire students in automation, energy, assistive technology, and advanced manufacturing, the workshop offered a dynamic mix of hands-on training, industry insights, and cutting-edge tech exploration. Participants worked directly with robotics, drones, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and other technologies shaping Industry 4.0. They also learned about Competitive Integrated Employment and how individuals with disabilities contribute meaningfully to today’s workforce.
Highlights of the workshop included a presentation from Marathon Petroleum on career pathways in the energy sector and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bobcat Factory and Acceleration Center in Bismarck. The sessions also covered topics such as virtual reality in education, 3D printing (additive manufacturing), and assistive and adaptive technologies.

Educators who attended all sessions were eligible to earn up to three professional development credits - two for full participation and one additional credit through optional self-paced coursework, including activities with Bit Board Rover Kits, assistive tech, and 3D printing modules.

LAB Midwest's Industry 4.0 Training

In August 2025, Lab Midwest hosted a free, hands-on training event for Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors at the Advanced Technology Center on the campus of Bismarck State College in Bismarck, North Dakota. The training took place over three full days, from Wednesday, August 6th through Friday, August 8th, 2025, bringing together educators and industry partners from across the Midwest.
The goal of the event was to help close the skills gap in manufacturing by equipping instructors with the tools and knowledge to integrate Industry 4.0 technologies into their classrooms. Participants engaged in interactive sessions covering mechatronics, industrial controls, robotics, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence, smart sensors, data analytics, and other cutting-edge topics related to advanced manufacturing.
Throughout the training, attendees gained hands-on experience with the same advanced systems used in modern CTE programs and learned how to align their instruction with industry-recognized certifications. They also explored strategies for classroom setup, curriculum development, funding opportunities, and forming strong industry partnerships.
By the end of the training, instructors left with a clear roadmap for incorporating Industry 4.0 into their programs, empowered to better prepare their students for high-demand, high-wage careers in the modern manufacturing sector.
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