EDGE (Early Development of General Engineering) Director Dr. Dan Dimitriu (left) and Engineering Instructor Klaus Bartels (right) join high school students Arnold Andrade (Brackenridge H.S.), Stephanie M. Torres (Lanier H.S.), and Rene Zamora (Jefferson H.S.) after they won the championship in the Robotics Challenge - Lego Mindstorms® NXT Robotics Sumo Tournament.  To prepare for the competition, the 24 local high school students in the program customized and programmed the robots to use light, touch and ultrasonic sensors to measure distance and detect and react to opponents while trying to keep their robot from being pushed out of the competition ring.  Students are introduced to a variety of technology applications, as well as logic development exercises to improve their problem-solving and teamwork and to build their self-esteem.

The EDGE program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the ACCD Foundation, is a bridge between high school and the college freshman year.  Students are enrolled in college-level introduction to Engineering and lab-enhanced introductory Physics.  After successfully completing the program, they earn five college credit hours that can be applied toward an Associate degree at SAC and transferred toward a Bachelor’s degree.