E3 Robotics brings curiosity, frights to thousands for 'Science Spooktacular'

ELKHART, Ind. -- Science, technology, engineering, and math, brought thousands of Michiana residents out to the Elkhart 4H County Fairgrounds on Halloween, for a 'Science Spooktacular' hosted by the E3 Robotics Center.

The goal of the event, for E3 Robotics Executive Director Brian Boehler, was to spark curiosity out of each attendee.

"It's a great experience for the E3 Robotics Center to host a community event like this," Boehler said. "One of our three E's is actually 'engage,' where we look to engage the community in the world of STEM."

For Boehler, the love for STEM comes from teaching curious minds.

"It's just finding where the student is going to thrive," Boehler said. "We want them to each kind of find that lightbulb moment of where stuff finally just clicks."

That clicking moment Boheler was referring to, came to E3 team member, Ethan Graber at a young age.

"I've been doing robotics for long enough, it's just kind of a part of me now," Graber said. "Just that whole process of what's wrong? Why is it wrong? How do I fix it?"

This is Graber's reason why he loves robotics. The problem solving with a side of trial and error.

It is what keeps him motivated after 11 years as a member of the E3 Robotics team.

"It's a lot of fun if you enjoy working with your hands or any kind of technical work," Graber said. "I don't know. It's just really cool just knowing that I built that thing and now I'm driving it around."

And for teachers like Boehler, the ultimate reward comes from hearing the success stories of where STEM and robotics lead people, such as his former classmates.

"When I post stuff online, all those classmates come back in and go, "Hey, are you still doing that robotics thing?" Like I remember that," Boehler said. "That led me to do this really cool job or career opportunity that I have today, and to see that something like that gave them that opportunity is something that I want to make sure that more kids have."

If you want to learn more about E3 Robotics, click here.