Our Story
Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County--Together, Inc. (REACT) is a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit whose mission is to develop engaging and fun robotics learning and character building experiences for all young people throughout Allegany County, Maryland. We challenge students to use critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills to address real-world problems, inspiring the STEM professionals of the future.
REACT has been offering Allegany County students world-class STEM learning experiences since our founding in 2017. We offer multiple camps featuring coding, robotics and computer skills. REACT has supported over 100 coaches and raised more than $100,000 to provide robotics equipment for local competition teams. Under our leadership, Allegany County robotics grew from 4 teams in our first year to 30+ teams this past year, and the number of youth served grew from 35 to over 1,000!
Next Goal: The REACT Institute for STEM Education--RISE!
From Day One, REACT has had a long-term goal of acquiring a building to serve as our base of operations and provide our students a place to flourish. Our organization was inspired by the Garrett Engineering and Robotics Society (GEARS), which serves our neighboring county. Our GEARS mentors insisted that the only way to achieve the level of excellence they have reached with their advanced robotics team is by securing a dedicated space for STEM education. After several years of building a strong foundation for youth robotics and developing a great reputation in the community, REACT was ready to create the REACT Institute for STEM Education (RISE). We started searching for a centrally-located property that would facilitate access by lower income Cumberland youth, so we could welcome all students and help them become fluent in STEM!
Many of the students we coached on elementary and middle school teams have fallen in love with robotics. Those who have moved on to high school are ready and excited to join an advanced robotics team that will compete at the highest level, called FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). The FRC competition field is 27’x 54’--a little more than half the width and length of a basketball court. FRC prepares students for college programs in engineering and computer science by pairing them with local STEM professionals to solve complex robotics challenges. These opportunities have the potential to change students’ lives and inspire them to pursue careers in engineering and robotics.
Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County--Together, Inc. (REACT) is a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit whose mission is to develop engaging and fun robotics learning and character building experiences for all young people throughout Allegany County, Maryland. We challenge students to use critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills to address real-world problems, inspiring the STEM professionals of the future.
REACT has been offering Allegany County students world-class STEM learning experiences since our founding in 2017. We offer multiple camps featuring coding, robotics and computer skills. REACT has supported over 100 coaches and raised more than $100,000 to provide robotics equipment for local competition teams. Under our leadership, Allegany County robotics grew from 4 teams in our first year to 30+ teams this past year, and the number of youth served grew from 35 to over 1,000!
Next Goal: The REACT Institute for STEM Education--RISE!
From Day One, REACT has had a long-term goal of acquiring a building to serve as our base of operations and provide our students a place to flourish. Our organization was inspired by the Garrett Engineering and Robotics Society (GEARS), which serves our neighboring county. Our GEARS mentors insisted that the only way to achieve the level of excellence they have reached with their advanced robotics team is by securing a dedicated space for STEM education. After several years of building a strong foundation for youth robotics and developing a great reputation in the community, REACT was ready to create the REACT Institute for STEM Education (RISE). We started searching for a centrally-located property that would facilitate access by lower income Cumberland youth, so we could welcome all students and help them become fluent in STEM!
Many of the students we coached on elementary and middle school teams have fallen in love with robotics. Those who have moved on to high school are ready and excited to join an advanced robotics team that will compete at the highest level, called FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). The FRC competition field is 27’x 54’--a little more than half the width and length of a basketball court. FRC prepares students for college programs in engineering and computer science by pairing them with local STEM professionals to solve complex robotics challenges. These opportunities have the potential to change students’ lives and inspire them to pursue careers in engineering and robotics.
A Perfect Solution
Now, REACT has a home for our robotics and STEM programs: the former SS. Peter and Paul Parish Hall at 120 Fayette Street in Cumberland. Among this building’s best features is a wide- open, unobstructed space on the main floor that will provide us with ample room for an advanced high school robotics team to fabricate and test its large robots. On the lower floor, there is space to hold classes and meetings. In addition, this building has plenty of parking and bathrooms to accommodate our summer programs and evening events. We are thrilled with the opportunity this building will offer us to reach more students with engaging and fun robotics education experiences!
RISE: A Place to Create Future STEM Professionals
RISE will not only give REACT a home for advanced robotics. Students in grades K-12 will be invited to participate in numerous STEM activities geared to engage and inspire them to learn. Specific programs envisioned include a Girls Who Code club and community teams for youth who don’t have access to a school-based robotics team. In addition, REACT will bring in artists who can help us integrate the arts into STEM (STEAM). Our stage and our kitchen will give us additional opportunities to collaborate with fellow community groups to attract, engage, feed, and educate our county’s youth.
RISE Renovation Plans and Progress
Phase 1 renovations are already fully funded and underway. Phase 1 work includes asbestos removal, roof and mortar repair, replacement of the front entrance accessibility ramp, front door, and upper level bathrooms to meet ADA compliance, upper level wood floor refinishing, lower level floor replacement, and extensive electrical work.
Phase 2 renovations include replacement of furnaces and air conditioning units on both levels, upgrade of lower level bathrooms for ADA compliance, and framing and finishing of window wells to open previously-covered windows. Architectural drawings of the existing building and the planned renovations have been uploaded.
The completion of Phase 2 renovations will enable REACT to fully utilize the building’s two levels, which will allow RISE to host a wide array of programming in a safe, comfortable, and more energy-efficient facility.
Please join us in creating RISE–no experience necessary!
Now, REACT has a home for our robotics and STEM programs: the former SS. Peter and Paul Parish Hall at 120 Fayette Street in Cumberland. Among this building’s best features is a wide- open, unobstructed space on the main floor that will provide us with ample room for an advanced high school robotics team to fabricate and test its large robots. On the lower floor, there is space to hold classes and meetings. In addition, this building has plenty of parking and bathrooms to accommodate our summer programs and evening events. We are thrilled with the opportunity this building will offer us to reach more students with engaging and fun robotics education experiences!
RISE: A Place to Create Future STEM Professionals
RISE will not only give REACT a home for advanced robotics. Students in grades K-12 will be invited to participate in numerous STEM activities geared to engage and inspire them to learn. Specific programs envisioned include a Girls Who Code club and community teams for youth who don’t have access to a school-based robotics team. In addition, REACT will bring in artists who can help us integrate the arts into STEM (STEAM). Our stage and our kitchen will give us additional opportunities to collaborate with fellow community groups to attract, engage, feed, and educate our county’s youth.
RISE Renovation Plans and Progress
Phase 1 renovations are already fully funded and underway. Phase 1 work includes asbestos removal, roof and mortar repair, replacement of the front entrance accessibility ramp, front door, and upper level bathrooms to meet ADA compliance, upper level wood floor refinishing, lower level floor replacement, and extensive electrical work.
Phase 2 renovations include replacement of furnaces and air conditioning units on both levels, upgrade of lower level bathrooms for ADA compliance, and framing and finishing of window wells to open previously-covered windows. Architectural drawings of the existing building and the planned renovations have been uploaded.
The completion of Phase 2 renovations will enable REACT to fully utilize the building’s two levels, which will allow RISE to host a wide array of programming in a safe, comfortable, and more energy-efficient facility.
Please join us in creating RISE–no experience necessary!