LRCC'S Robotics Lab Equips Students with Essential Tools

Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) is thrilled to announce the transformation of its Advanced Manufacturing lab into a cutting-edge robotics laboratory, featuring ten brand-new 3D printers. This initiative, in partnership with FIRST® New Hampshire, is designed to enhance robotics education for students throughout the region and introduce them to the world of robotics.

Working alongside Great Bay, Manchester and White Mountains Community Colleges, LRCC will not only be a hub for hands-on robotics learning, but will also produce Raspberry Pi® Pico W microcontrollers that will be 3D printed and distributed to high school students across the state. These microcontrollers will serve as an engaging introduction to robotics, engineering and software development.

Thanks to a grant from the New Hampshire Department of Education, FIRST NH will equip labs statewide with resources to create 5,500 robotics kits by July 2025. This initiative aims to expand engineering education opportunities for community college students and those in career and technical education centers while also benefiting grades 6-12.

As LRCC continues to lead in robotics education, this partnership promises to inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators throughout New Hampshire.

Microelectronics Boot Camp at NCC Creates a Pipeline for Employers

In a recent op-ed published in the New Hampshire Business Review, Ray Brousseau, the Vice President of Operations at BAE System's Electronic Systems sector, writes:

In 2016, we collaborated with NCC to create the Microelectronics Boot Camp. In 10 weeks, the boot camp trains people – many straight out of high school or transitioning from other fields of work – to learn the skills needed to work in advanced manufacturing. The intensive program teaches students military standards and assembly techniques for radio frequency and microwave electronic assemblies. Upon successful completion of the course, students are guaranteed an interview at BAE Systems.

In eight years, the boot camp has successfully trained 340 people from across New England in advanced manufacturing, and 179 of them have come to work for BAE Systems. Our company is successfully building a talent pipeline to fill critical roles within our business.



As defense companies face the complex realities of the 21st century, the need for a highly skilled workforce in microelectronics is only expected to rise. Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about the Microelectronics Boot Camp? If so, reach out to NCC for more information on this program that will accelerate your career, and ultimately the safety of our nation.

Read the full op-ed at the link below.

GBCC Receives Grant to Promote Higher Education Access and Completion for Seacoast Housing Authority Residents

Great Bay Community College has received a $60,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to support college access and completion for residents of Dover and Portsmouth Housing Authorities. This funding will enable the college to help individuals in the community who face financial barriers to gain access to postsecondary education opportunities that may have previously been out of reach.

The grant will help further the college’s mission of expanding economic opportunity by providing an affordable, high-quality education in an environment that embodies excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Residents of the Dover and Portsmouth Housing Authorities will receive a wide range of support services such as academic coaching, access to program exploration and connections to key social service resources in the region.

Reaching the Next Generation of Students at Wicked STEM

On September 21, 2024, robots and young people filled The New Hampshire Dome in Milford, NH for the New Hampshire Union Leader’s Wicked STEM Expo, a day-long event to connect New England’s youth with the vast science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community in the region. The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) had a high profile at the event, both as a sponsor and exhibitor.

“Wicked STEM is a great opportunity to highlight the incredible STEM programs we offer at every college, as well as apprenticeship opportunities that help cultivate youth interest in future STEM careers,” said Shannon Reid, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Communications at CCSNH.

The Wicked STEM event was created in 2022 to inspire students to explore careers in STEM. The event offers hands-on activities, workshops and exhibits designed to engage middle and high school students with STEM professionals and opportunities. Almost 1,000 people attended the 2024 event and learned about CCSNH’s Early College programs, STEM majors at the seven colleges and apprenticeship opportunities.

A team from Manchester Community College (MCC) brought programmable robots that played dice games, Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) brought a robot that drew pictures from uploaded images, and NHTI joined the fun with a collection of student-manufactured objects, including hand-built workshop tools, laser-cut decorations and 3D-printed gears and models, for visitors to handle and explore.