Â鶹´«Ã½ (UB) is excited to launch two groundbreaking facilities set to position the school as a regional leader in experiential learning and innovation in the STEM fields. On Friday, October 3, 2025, UB welcomed state representatives, community partners, students, faculty, and guests to campus to celebrate the grand opening of the New England FIRST Robotics hub and the Interdisciplinary Emerging Technologies (IET) Laboratory.<\/p>\n
The celebration began with a tour of the robotics hub, located in the Steans Manufacturing Center in Mandeville Hall, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the IET lab in UB\u2019s School of Engineering. Together, these spaces represent UB\u2019s deep commitment to preparing students for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through investments in opportunities for hands-on learning and industry partnerships that expose K-12 students to higher education from an early age.<\/p>\n
Developed in partnership with Access Educational Services and NE FIRST<\/em>, the robotics hub provides a dedicated space where local high school students collaborate with UB undergraduate and graduate engineering students to design, build, and program industrial-sized robots for regional competitions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re excited to have a home here,\u201d said Gwen Brantley, founder and executive director of ACCESS Educational Services.\u201d She continued, \u201cUB is allowing us to grow.\u201d Brantley added that UB faculty, staff, and students will mentor high school robotics teams in this new community STEM Hub in Bridgeport. UB President Wilken shared, \u201cTogether, UB and NE FIRST<\/em> are building an innovation, manufacturing, and robotics ecosystem \u2014 one that inspires today\u2019s youth to explore careers in STEM and strengthens Connecticut’s future workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n Immediately following the robotics hub tour, UB hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Interdisciplinary Emerging Technologies (IET) Lab. This innovative space features a collection of advanced equipment integrated with AI technology that can\u2019t be found at any other college in the Northeast. The lab brings together cutting-edge tools for research, design, and prototyping in artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, 3D printing, Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity, fostering collaboration among students and faculty from multiple disciplines while serving as a center for creativity and technological advancement.<\/p>\n Opening remarks were given by Pepper, a humanoid social robot who serves as the IET Lab\u2019s resident ambassador, welcoming guests and introducing the lab.<\/p>\n Invited to speak by President Wilken, Michael Banton, executive director of New England FIRST<\/em>, expressed that the IET Lab and UB partnership as \u201can exciting entryway for our students into higher education.\u201d<\/p>\n Congressman Jim Himes noted the lab\u2019s potential for economic growth, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s remarkable how many jobs will be available to people who understand AI and its effects on robotics.\u201d Thanking UB\u2019s visionary leadership, he added, \u201cThe revitalization of UB has been a spectacular thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim expressed his appreciation for the cutting-edge development happening at UB, noting that the partnership with NE FIRST<\/em> highlights the opportunities being created right in Bridgeport.<\/p>\n The event brought together educators, students, business leaders, and community members who share a vision for a stronger, more innovative Bridgeport. Guests heard additional remarks from:<\/p>\nAdvancing Hands-On STEM Learning<\/h2>\n