GLOW Tech Wars

Press Release:

Genesee Community College (GCC) proudly welcomed over 700 middle and high school technology students and their teachers from across the GLOW region to the 16th Annual Tech Wars. This competition provided a platform for students to showcase their skills and ingenuity through a variety of technology-based challenges.

Tech Wars is the culmination of a year's worth of preparation by students and educators, with each event carefully crafted and coordinated by the dedicated technology teachers of the GLOW region. The event receives significant support from GCC's Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Department, GCC faculty and staff, as well as many generous local businesses that sponsor the competition and actively participate in the day's activities.

This year, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the Tech Wars organizing committee was able to award three $300 scholarships to deserving seniors from participating GLOW region schools. Scholarship recipients demonstrated outstanding dedication to technology and plan to pursue careers, apprenticeships or post-secondary education in technology-related fields. The 2024 scholarship winners were:

• Catherine Staley - Geneseo High School
• Kasey Pagels - Byron Bergen High School
• Laylanna Oliveria - Pioneer High School

Sponsors for 2025 Tech Wars:

Gold Sponsors: Amada Tool America, Barilla America NY, Graham Corporation, I.B.E.W. Local 86, Liberty Pumps, Northeast Industrial Tech, Power & Construction Group

Silver Sponsors: Chapin International, Maple Moon Farms, Morton Salt, RTMA/FLYAP, Six Flags Darien Lake, Takeform & Traco Manufacturing

Overall Winners:

Middle School Division:

1st Place: Batavia Middle School (28 points)

2nd Place: Warsaw Middle School (16 points)

3rd Place: York Middle School (15 points)

High School Division:

1st Place: Geneseo High School (27 points)

2nd Place: Dansville High School (24 points)

3rd Place: Batavia High School (23 points)

Additionally, the winning logo design for the 2026 Tech Wars was created by Giana Strollo from Batavia High School.

Participating Schools: Albion, Alexander, Attica, Batavia, Byron-Bergen, Dansville, Elba, Geneseo, Holley, Kendall, Letchworth, Medina, Mt. Morris, Oakfield-Alabama, Pavilion, Pembroke, Perry, Pioneer, St. Joe's, Warsaw, Wayland-Cohocton & York

Competitions:

Middle School Events: Bridge, Catapult, CO2 Cars (Concept & Race), Logo Design, Lumber Labyrinth, Makers Showcase, Mystery, Paper Airplanes, Rube Goldberg, Sculpture, Skimmer Cars & Technical Drawing

High School Events: Bridge, CO2 Cars (Concept & Race), Drone Racing, Logo Design, Lumber Labyrinth, Makers Showcase, Mini Sumo Bots, Mystery, Regatta Race & Theme, Reverse Engineer CAD, Robotic Tractor Pull, Sculpture, Skimmer Cars, SUMO Bots & Trebuchet

GCC extends its gratitude to all the students, teachers, sponsors, and volunteers who made this year's Tech Wars a success. We look forward to continuing this tradition of innovation and excellence in 2026!

For more information contact Vice President Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin M. Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu

The annual Tech Wars competition for high school students in STEM programs was held on Wednesday at Genesee Community College.

The winning middle schools:

• 1st Batavia Middle School with 28 points
• 2nd Warsaw Middle School with 16 points
• 3rd York Middle School with 15 points

The winning high schools:

• 1st Geneseo High School with 27 points
• 2nd Dansville High School with 24 points
• 3rd Batavia High School with 23 points

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press Release:

Area technology middle and high school students and teachers, along with the GCC Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) department, and college community are working hard to prepare for the 16th GLOW Region Tech Wars! 

The event will be held Wednesday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. 

The annual Tech Wars brings middle and high school students from all 24 of the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) region's school districts together in teams to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions.

Tech Wars 2025 brings back some favorite events for high schoolers such as the Regatta, Bridge, CO2 Cars, Logo Design, Sculpture, Skimmer Cars, Sumo Bots, Tractor Pull and Trebuchet, and Lumber Labyrinth. Tech Wars event details, rules, and competition descriptions are available at techwarsgccny.org.

Any media planning to attend, please register with GCC's Marketing Communications Office at 585-343-0055 ext. 6116, or via email at marcom@genesee.edu and please sign in at the registration desk upon arrival.

For more information contact Vice President of Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.

Press Release:

Area technology middle and high school students and teachers, along with the GCC Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) department and college community are working hard to prepare for the 15th GLOW Region Tech Wars! 

The event will be held Thursday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. The annual Tech Wars brings middle and high school students from all 24 of the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming (GLOW) region's school districts together in teams to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions.

This year's competitors (students) have chosen from close to 30 available competitions to showcase - and put to the test - some basic and some extremely intricate and innovative technology. 

Regardless of the event, all the students enjoy the opportunity to see their hard work come to fruition. Tech Wars event details, rules, and competition descriptions are available at techwarsgccny.org.

Tech Wars 2024 brings back some favorite events for high schoolers such as Battlebot Soccer; the Regatta; Bridge; CO2 Cars; Logo Design; Sculpture; Onsite CAD Drawing and Reverse Engineering CAD; Skimmer Cars; Sumo Bots; Tractor Pull; Trebuchet and Lumber Labyrinth. A Drone Agility event will be new for high school students this year.

The 2024 event brings back the Mini-Bot competition as well as Skimmer Cars and Technical Drawing for the middle schoolers and other legacy events such as Catapult; Rube Goldberg; and Sculpture. Back by popular demand for all participants is the Mystery Event which allows students to use their creativity and skills in an on-demand, timed situation.

Annually, Tech Wars also features STEAM Jam @ Tech Wars, an event held simultaneously for 3rd to 5th grade students from GLOW region schools. Over 100 students will participate in various team building and mind-stimulating activities that foster skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM). As an educational precursor to a future in technology, STEAM Jam participants will have the opportunity to observe the fun and exciting Tech Wars 2024 competitions.

Educational support for Tech Wars and STEAM Jam comes from the dedication, state-of-the-art facilities, and quality instruction in the GLOW region schools. Teachers share ideas and explore new technology and developments through both a Regional STEAM Teachers' cohort and a Regional Tech Teachers' Cohort.

Tech Wars has been continually supported by many local manufacturers and organizations. The 2024 event is yet again, presented with a record number of sponsors. Gold Sponsors: Amada Tool America, Inc.; Barilla America, NY, Inc.; GCEDC; Graham Manufacturing; I.B.E.W. Local Union 86; Liberty Pumps, and Northeast Industrial Tech Inc. Silver and Bronze Sponsors: Morton Salt, Inc; Power and Construction Group; Takeform and the Varysburg Lions Club. The generosity of the Tech Wars sponsors enables the committee to offer 2 scholarships per year to encourage graduating seniors to enter the technology and trade fields and potentially stay or return to the GLOW region with their skills.

"The support of local businesses and organizations in this region is second to none," Ann Valento, director of ACE programs said. "Without these organizations and other generous local donors, Tech Wars would not be possible. Our local sponsors also serve as volunteers, judges, and spend their valuable time talking with students and inspiring entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, the businesses that participate in these events get an exclusive opportunity to meet and network with the future workforce in our community. We are beginning to see second-generation participants which indicates our efforts are being actualized."

Tech Wars is also proudly sponsored and hosted by Genesee Community College and its ACE programs. The ACE team and the entire GCC community work diligently to provide a safe and appropriately equipped environment to showcase the students' technological skills and creativity.

Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings and with industry professionals. The ACE Program's Career Pathways is committed to helping students explore career options and make a smooth transition from high school to further education and/or a career. To view the 2023 Tech Wars photo album, Click Here.

For the 14th year, middle and high school students from districts across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties got together in the name of technology to be part of the annual GLOW Region Tech Wars Thursday at Genesee Community College in Batavia.

Student competitors chose from nearly 30 available competitions to test their skills and showcase the results of basic but extremely intricate and innovative technology.

Well worn favorites were brought back, including Battlebot Soccer, Bridge, CO2 Cars, Logo Design Sculpture, Onsite CAD Drawing and Reverse Engineering CAD, Skimmer Cars, Sumo Bots, Tractor Pull and Trebuchet, and Lumber Labyrinth.

The 2023 event also introduced the Mini-Bot competition and brought back Skimmer Cars and Technical Drawing for the middle schoolers as well as other legacy events such as Catapult, Paper Airplane, Rube Goldberg, and Sculpture.

The Mystery Event was brought back by popular demand, allowing students to be creative and use their skills in an “on-demand” timed situation.

STEAM Jam for students in grades three through five allowed them to explore mind-stimulating activities in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings, and with industry professionals, organizers said. The ACE Program’s Career Pathways is committed to helping students explore career options and make a smooth transition from high school to further education and/or a career.

For more information about the various career exploration and dual enrollment opportunities and ACE-supported events at GCC, contact Ann Valento, GCC director of ACE programs at 585-343-0055, Ext. 6316 or amvalento@genesee.edu.

The complete schedule of events can be found here.  Final results are not yet posted.

Top photo is the SUMO Bot Alexander Team

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Submitted photo and press release:

The 13th GLOW Region Tech Wars will be held Thursday, March 12, at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. The annual Tech Wars brings middle and high school students from all 24 of the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) region's school districts together in teams to work collaboratively to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions.

Each year, with a forward vision and new developments in technology, Tech Wars introduces new events. 2020 is no different. This year's competitors (students) have chosen from close to 30 available competitions to showcase -- and put to the test -- some basic and some extremely intricate and innovative technology. Regardless of the event, all of the students enjoy the opportunity to see their hard work come to fruition.

Tech Wars event details, rules and competition descriptions are available at techwarsgccny.org.

Tech Wars 2020 events brings back some favorites such as: Battlebot Soccer; the Regatta; Bridge; CO2 Cars; King of the Hill; Logo Design; Sculpture; Onsite CAD Drawing and Reverse Engineering CAD; Skimmer Cars; Sumo Bots; Tractor Pull and Trebuchet; and will introduce the all new, Lumber Labyrinth.

In addition to Lumber Labyrinth, Tech Wars 2020 also introduces Skimmer Cars and Technical Drawing for the middle schoolers as well as other legacy events such as Catapult; Paper Airplane; Rube Goldberg; and Sculpture. Back by popular demand for all participants is the Mystery Event, which allows students to use their creativity and skills in an on-demand, timed situation.

For the second year, Tech Wars also features STEAM Jam @ Tech Wars, an event held simultaneously for third- to fifth-grade students from GLOW region schools. More than 100 students will participate in various team building and mind-stimulating activities that foster skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM). As an educational precursor to a future in technology, STEAM Jam participants will have the opportunity to observe the fun and exciting Tech Wars 2020 competitions.

Educational support for Tech Wars and STEAM Jam comes from the dedication, state-of-the art facilities and quality instruction in the GLOW region schools. Teachers share ideas and explore new technology and developments through both a Regional STEAM Teachers' cohort and a Regional Tech Teachers' Cohort.

Focused on local economic development, the newly established Regional Tech Teachers' Cohort collaboratively cultivates relationships between the schools and local professionals to provide information sessions, field trips, school to work opportunities, and more to enhance student learning experiences. Through these experiences and relationships students begin to form goals and a vision for their own futures.

The efforts of programs like Tech Wars, STEAM Jam and the Cohorts are already making a difference with many thanks to community support. Tech Wars 2020 has been presented with a record number of sponsors Gold Sponsors: Liberty Pumps, Northeast Industrial Tech Inc., Turnbull Heating & Air Conditioning, Graham Corporation, Amada Tool America Inc., and Glow with Your Hands. Silver and Bronze Sponsors: LandPro Equipment, Oxbo International, Takeform, DWB Enterprises and the Varysburg Lions Club.

"The support of local businesses and organizations in this region is second to none," Ann Valento, ACE program specialist said. "Without these organizations and other generous local donors, Tech Wars would not be possible.

"Our local sponsors also serve as volunteers, judges, and spend their valuable time talking with students and inspiring entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, the businesses that participate in these events get an exclusive opportunity to meet and network with the future workforce in our community."

Tech Wars is also proudly sponsored and hosted by Genesee Community College and its ACE (Accelerated College Enrollment) program. The ACE team and the entire GCC community work diligently to provide a safe and appropriately-equipped environment to showcase the students' technological skills and creativity.

Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings and with industry professionals. The ACE Program's Career Pathways is committed to helping students explore career options and make a smooth transition from high school to further education and/or a career.

For more information about the Career Pathways programs, please contact Ann Valento, Genesee Community College Career Pathways Specialist at 585-3430055, ext. 6316, or amvalento@genesee.edu.