About Us

Growing FIRST Programs and STEM Opportunities for Students

About Laurel Highlands Education & Robotics, Inc:

Laurel Highlands Education & Robotics, Inc. (LHER) is a non-profit public charity corporation incorporated under the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988 exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
LHER qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under the US Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)3 and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, bequests, devises, transfers or gifts.

History

LHER launched one of the region’s first-ever FIRST Lego League teams in 2012, geared toward 4th 8th-grade students, and expanded into FIRST Tech Challenge in 2014 to provide greater STEM opportunities to 7th 12th-grade students.

LHER multiplied its impact in 2016 by expanding mentorship to regional FIRST teams through training, workshops, camps, and competitions. Through these, students are building foundational STEM skills and program graduates are applying those skills in college while preparing for their chosen careers.

In 2019, LHER began seeking partnerships with local businesses to provide program graduates with a bridge to regional internship opportunities. By linking students with local internship opportunities now, LHER hopes to open doors for students to return to our region after degree completion and utilize their skills to contribute to our local economic development and growth rather than defaulting to employment in larger markets.

LHER Officers

Michele D. Lamkin

President/Chair

michele.lamkin@lherobotics.org

814-421-6538

Michael J. Ream

Vice President/Vice-Chair

mike.ream@lherobotics.org

814-233-5234

Ellen Doyle

Secretary

814-248-0300

MEET THE TEAM

The Mission of Laurel Highlands Education & Robotics, Inc.

The purposes for which LHER is organized are to support, encourage, and advance education, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to students in grades K-12 in the Laurel Highlands region of western Pennsylvania and beyond; and to inspire and motivate students to realize their full potential and develop leadership, business, teamwork, communication, and life skills to become confident, responsible, others-minded citizens who seek to make a difference and enrich the lives of others. In furtherance of these purposes, the LHER engages in the following activities.

Promotes student involvement in science, technology, engineering, arts, math, and robotics curricula, and other beneficial educational programs.

Provides opportunities for students to meet and learn from engineers, scientists, technologists, advanced technology manufacturers, and other professionals and expand student awareness of potential career opportunities.

Offers supplemental educational classes and training to improve student’s ability to enter the workforce upon graduation.

Creates a learning environment where students excel and have the opportunity to develop skills that bridge gaps and open doors to future career opportunities.

Supports student teams that are participating in non-competitive and competitive programs, including but not limited to the programs of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology) currently known as Jr. FIRST Lego League, FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Challenge.

Supports FIRST Tech Challenge Team 8645 in their goal to design and build a robot to compete in FIRST’s international robotics competitions, and support other teams as opportunities arise.

Provides guidance and training to students and sub-teams in areas such as engineering basics, mechanical building, programming, CAD design, project management, business planning, marketing, fundraising, presentation skills, and other needed aspects.

Promotes projects and provide guidance through the fundraising and grant application process to raise funds so that students have access to current technology and programs to expand their education base.

Encourages and promotes students to pursue higher education and inform students of opportunities to secure and obtain scholarships.

Legal

LHER is a non-profit public charity corporation incorporated under the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988 exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
LHER qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under US Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)3 and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, bequests, devises, transfers or gifts.

Roxanne Jenner

Director of CODE Programs, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

"LHER is impacting lives through their constant involvement in the community to educate businesses, schools, parents, and students on the value of robotics as part of a K-12 education to develop STEM skills. I have witnessed the excitement of younger students when they get to “play” with one of their working robots and of parents who see their child’s progression in skill development. Without LHER, this growth of a STEM-rich environment would not be happening in our region."

Shawn Cerully

Special Projects Coordinator, Appalachia IU8

“LHER, Inc. and their team FTC Team 8645 Robotic Doges have been a great asset to our FIRST LEGO League Workshops. They have consistently worked with the students in our region to not only help them learn important coding skills, but they also show the students the importance of collaboration and hard work through their success. The practical tips, inspiration, and programming help they offer to our students are both relevant and necessary for 21st-century careers.”

Dale Messenger

Coach of FTC Team 13535 Brain Botz

“LHER offered far more help starting a new team than I initially thought. They answered any questions I had. As a new coach, I want to return the favor. FTC gets in your blood!”

Tabatha Fletcher

Coach of FLL Team 27681—Zap Squad

“LHER’s workshops provided an opportunity for our FIRST LEGO League students to get answers to their programming questions and to learn strategy tips for our competition. Our team enjoyed speaking with older kids who had “been there, done that” and it gave them the confidence and know-how to continue our season. The workshops became an invaluable asset and something we looked forward to doing.”

Jessica Alexander

Parent of Robotic Doges Team Member

“Our son has grown so much as a young man in his first year as a member of a LHER robotics team. I can only imagine what future years will bring. This group is full of so much knowledge, support, encouragement, opportunities, and wonderful role models. It has been a blessing to watch Walker grow. He has come out of his shell. This truly has not only allowed him to learn and experience so much, but to grow as a person.”

Brady Doyle

LHER Program Graduate and Robotic Doges Alumni

“Participating in one of LHER’s robotics teams has allowed me to experience high school life beyond the classroom setting. It furthered my interest in computer science and the field of engineering. More importantly, I have had the honor to know so many young extraordinary “Doges”, and to have the chance to learn from/with our coaches along the journey. The “Robotic Doges” is not just team; it is more like a family that you can just fit right into, especially for a programmer.”

831 Soap Hollow Road | Hollsopple, PA 15935-8416 | 814-288-5785