BROWNSVILLE, Texas — 51����’s Industrial Maintenance and Robotics Lab will welcome local high school students this spring for an immersive, hands-on learning experience aimed at building advanced technical skills and industry-recognized credentials.

The Spring 2026 Skills Camp with Porter High School will bring students into TSC’s Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics Automation (AMRA) Lab, where they will engage in practical activities and work toward earning the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) Gold Certification in Pneumatics.

Juan Rivera, TSC’s Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology (IMMT) Program Coordinator, said the event is designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world applications.

“During the camp, students will participate in hands-on skill activities in the AMRA Lab, and we’ll be challenging our Dual Practicum class to earn the SACA Gold Certification in Pneumatics,” Rivera said.

The certification process is rigorous and requires students to demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and technical proficiency. Participants must complete three individual exams at their workstations, where they identify pneumatic symbols and correctly assemble systems based on detailed diagrams.

“The objective is for students to obtain the SACA Gold Level Certification in Pneumatics,” Rivera explained. “These exams require students to apply what they’ve learned by identifying symbols and connecting diagrams according to given specifications.”

Before attempting the gold-level credential, students must first pass the silver-level certification, a foundational requirement that ensures they understand core pneumatic concepts.

Rivera, who is certified to administer the credential, earned his qualification last December through training at a SACA-authorized center. He emphasized the value of these industry certifications for students entering technical careers.

“SACA certifications validate both knowledge and hands-on skills. When students successfully complete the written exam and performance assessments, they demonstrate they are workforce-ready,” Rivera said.

In addition to student engagement, SACA also supports educators through professional development. Teachers can participate in specialized training programs lasting three to five days, enabling them to proctor certification exams and deliver preparation courses aligned with Industry 4.0 standards.

The upcoming Skills Camp reflects TSC’s continued commitment to workforce development and partnerships with local schools, providing students early exposure to high-demand technical fields such as industrial maintenance, automation, and robotics.

The event is expected to give participating students a competitive edge as they pursue careers in advanced manufacturing and related industries.

ITTEC –  May 14 marked a milestone for the Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology (IMMT) program at 51���� (TSC), as students took center stage to showcase the results of their semester-long dedication to creativity, problem-solving, and technological innovation. This exhibition was more than just a display, it celebrated how classroom knowledge transforms into practical, real-world solutions.

The event spotlighted three exceptional student projects illustrating technical mastery and inventive thinking. These projects captured attention for their design and functionality and reflected the students’ deep understanding of industrial systems, robotics, and automation.

Water Level Indicator
Built using Arduino and precision sensors, this water level indicator offered an innovative solution to managing liquid containers. The system uses an ultrasonic sensor to detect when the water level reaches within 3 centimeters of the sensor. At that point, a set of LED lights illuminates and a buzzer sounds, signaling that the container is full. This project underscores how microcontroller programming can be applied in fluid monitoring systems, a critical component in various industries, including agriculture and manufacturing.

Hydraulic Press
Students also engineered a fully functional hydraulic press, a staple in industrial environments for tasks like forging, molding, and metal forming. The team constructed the press frame and meticulously assembled its components to replicate the functionality found in professional manufacturing equipment. This hands-on experience bridged theoretical hydraulics with tangible machine operations, enhancing the students’ understanding of force application and system integration.

Robot Hand
Perhaps the most captivating project was the robotic hand, designed to respond to physical touch. By embedding a force-sensitive resistor (FSR) in the palm, the students enabled the hand to detect when an object is touched or held. This signal is processed by an Arduino Uno, which then activates a servo motor to move the mechanical fingers. The result is a cost-effective, sensor-driven prototype that demonstrates the core principles of robotics and responsive motion.

In addition to the impressive demonstrations, the event also served as a celebration of academic achievement. A cohort of IMMT students earned SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance) certifications in Robotics for the first time in the TSC IMMT program. These industry-recognized credentials validate their proficiency in automation and robotics, setting them apart as workforce-ready professionals.

Juan Rivera, Instructor of Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology at 51����, expressed his pride in the students’ accomplishments.

“Our students are proving they are ready to take on the challenges of today’s technical workforce,” said Rivera. “The creativity and technical skills they demonstrated in these projects, and the fact that many are now certified in robotics, show their dedication and potential. I’m incredibly proud of the work they’ve done this semester.”

The IMMT showcase successfully reaffirmed the value of project-based learning and industry certifications to help prepare students for future careers. As technology continues to shape the modern workplace, these students are simultaneously keeping pace and setting the standard. With their projects and new credentials in hand, they are eager to contribute to industries that thrive on innovation and skill. For more information on the Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology (IMMT) program at 51���� (TSC).

51���� was proud to welcome students from Porter Early College High School to the IMMT 2025 Minicamp, held across several days stretching across March 24, 25, 26, 31, and April 1–2.

Hosted by the Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics Technology (IMMT) Program, this exciting initiative gave the dual enrollment (DE) students a chance to step into the lab and experience hand-on work with real-world technology. Under the guidance of knowledgeable faculty and industry experts, the students focused specifically on learning Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming, which is an essential skill in modern industrial automation.

PLCs are computerized systems used to control machinery and processes across industries like manufacturing, energy, and transportation, making them critical to efficient and safe operations. Some of the many modern industries which make use of PLCs include steel manufacturing, automotive production, chemical processing, energy sectors, and water and wastewater treatment.

Led by IMMT Program Coordinator and Professor Juan Rivera, the minicamp offered students a comprehensive experience where they explored the latest advancements in industrial automation, gained foundational skills in PLC programming, collaborated with their peers in a lab environment, and received one-on-one guidance from seasoned professionals.

“This minicamp is a gateway for our dual enrollment students to discover the exciting world of automation and industrial technology,” said Rivera. “We want to give them real exposure to the skills and tools used in industry today—because they are the future workforce.”

This immersive experience not only deepened students’ technical knowledge but also inspired confidence and curiosity about careers in engineering, automation, and advanced manufacturing. Many of these fields are in need of high skilled workers, and these students now have a better understanding of the potential career pathways and opportunities that are available to them in the field of industrial mechanics

A huge thank you goes out to our faculty, staff, and partners at Porter ECHS for making this incredible partnership possible. At 51����, we remain committed to creating early college experiences that empower students and prepare them for success beyond high school.