Philadelphia Robotics Coalition Helps Build Communication Skills for Local Students

The event at Thomas Jefferson University focused on fostering the next generation of innovators.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Philadelphia Robotics Coalition gathered students at Thomas Jefferson University to present their own robotic creations, with a focus on building communication skills for their futures. The event aimed to increase the number of youth in STEM and have robotics in every neighborhood from cradle to career.

Why it matters

Developing strong communication skills is crucial for students to effectively present and advocate for their ideas, which is an essential part of innovation and problem-solving. The Philadelphia Robotics Coalition's initiative helps prepare local students for future STEM careers and leadership roles.

The details

At the event, students demonstrated their creativity and collaboration in building robotic projects. However, the organizers emphasized that communication skills are just as important, as students need to be able to effectively communicate their ideas to decision-makers in order to get them to act on their innovations.

  • The event was held on March 7, 2026 at the Lawrence N. Field DEC Center on the Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus.

The players

Dr. Ron Kander

Founding Dean of the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce at Thomas Jefferson University.

Dr. Dia L. Jones

Executive Director of the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition.

Philadelphia Robotics Coalition

An organization that aims to increase the number of youth in STEM and have robotics in every neighborhood from cradle to career.

Thomas Jefferson University

The university that hosted the event at its East Falls Campus.

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What they’re saying

“The best thing about this, is to see the energy that the students have and how excited they are to actually talk about a STEM project.”

— Dr. Ron Kander, Founding Dean of the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce at Thomas Jefferson University (6abc.com)

“We have a mission to increase the number of youth in STEM...we want robotics in every neighborhood from cradle to career where students can build their own future.”

— Dr. Dia L. Jones, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition (6abc.com)

The takeaway

This event highlights the importance of not only developing technical skills in STEM, but also fostering strong communication abilities in students. By empowering local youth to effectively present and advocate for their innovative ideas, the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition is helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers.