Purpose Extending Beyond Our Business Goals
We feel it’s important to give back to the community we’re a part of, and stay committed to making everyone’s quality of life better through automation.
Our Future’s In The Very Capable Hands Of These Young STEM Advocates
This year we’ve decided to re-engage with students pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). A few years back, we became involved with a local Robotics Team. As business loads increased, we realized something was missing from our day-to-day. We missed the connection with the youthful minds who share our passion. Upon learning of the success of another local Robotics program and their need for funding to continue the pursuit of their competition goals, we decided to sponsor the Homestead High School Robotics Team.
We encourage you to follow along with their progress as they compete during the 2025 season. The Robotics Team presents an opportunity for students to design and build a robot to enter in the First Tech Challenge (FTC) Wisconsin competition. Each year FTC issues a challenge problem that participating teams need to address when designing and building their robot. Each team, of up to 10 students, offers the opportunity for students to bring their talents to the effort. Teams consist of designers, builders, drivers and computer programmers all working together to compete in the individual challenge.
Follow along on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ftchomesteadrobotics
Recognizing A Future Engineer
We’re both proud and honored to recognize the future of engineering through the award of our “Engineering A Better Future” scholarship. Together with the Germantown Community Scholarship Fund Committee, we issued a scholarship to a qualified student planning to pursue a 2- or 4-year degree in Engineering at any WI College or University.
We’re taking the time to recognize Alex Wisinski. Alex plans to attend UW-Madison in the fall – pursuing his interests in Medical Science/Technology/Engineering/Math. He was an active participant in DECA, Tennis, FBLA, Key Club and Math Club throughout high school. Additionally, Alex works at Ozaukee Ice Center as a referee and participated in club hockey as a member of Washington County Ice. Alex has an extremely promising future and we’re excited to be a part of journey.
We support talented students in their pursuit of engineering excellence.
Automation Solutions LLC has joined other local community businesses in supporting young adults looking to further their education. Our new scholarship, “Engineering A Better Future,” will award $1,000 to a qualifying student (as selected by the Germantown Community Scholarship Fund Committee) planning to pursue a 2- or 4-year degree in Engineering at any WI College or University. The scholarship will be awarded to the chosen student at the Senior Scholarship Awards Night in May, 2024.
2024 promises to be the biggest year ever for the Germantown Community Scholarship Fund. Last year saw 103 Germantown area students awarded over $159,000 in scholarships during GCSF Scholarship Awards Night. Since 1981, over $3.42 million has been awarded in scholarships to over 3,000 deserving seniors.
Applicant Eligibility
The following guidelines must be met at the time of application for a student to be considered for a scholarship:
- Student must be a legal resident of the Village of Germantown or be enrolled at Germantown High School
- Student must be enrolled in his/her senior year of high school with projected graduation by June 30th of the year of application.
- Student must complete all sections of the Germantown Scholarship Application.
Program/Award details and requirements for applicants and donors can be found at: https://www.gcsfund.org/scholarships/. You can also follow along on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GCSFGermantown.
Redirecting Skills “Sets” Up All Sorts of Opportunity
Automation Solutions LLC’s VP-Marketing offers up his time to coach girls volleyball in the Milwaukee area. Michael Shea, a former professional volleyball player, is a long-time lover of the sport and enjoys giving back to an activity that provided him so much opportunity throughout his life. Michael is currently coaching at Pewaukee High School, The Midwest Penguins Volleyball Club, and offering private training programs to help young female athletes achieve their goals in becoming the next generation of strong female leaders in sport, work and life.
While on its surface it may not be obvious the connection between automation and coaching, Michael finds them to be intertwined. “The more we find opportunities to introduce automation to businesses, the more potential time we can uncover for individuals to think, give back, and perform more meaningful tasks. I’d love to see people stepping away from mundane, thoughtless tasks and pushing themselves to achieve more. It’s not about taking human elements out of the workplace, it’s about redirecting those elements in a way that frees up peoples’ time to do the tasks that machines can’t do.”
Michael has found work/life balance in his time at Automation Solutions LLC and has witnessed first-hand the impact of the firm’s work. “I’ve seen so many instances where the solutions we provide our clients increases their throughput. It allows people to cut back from those 50+ hour work weeks and use their time to learn new skills and participate in activities that better the community.”
The Next Generation of Great Automation
Automation Solutions was published in the School District of Menomonee Falls newsletter as one of the companies partnering with the high school’s innovation center. Superintendent Dr. Greco also cited support from Milwaukee Tool, Magnetek, and Marsh Electronics.
According to the letter, the innovation center is “where students have the opportunity to learn about engineering, design and manufacturing in a world class facility.” Talented high school teachers and committed area business professionals and volunteers share their expertise to help teach students.
Automation Solutions specifically works with the high school’s robotics club: Arsenal Engineering FIRST Team 6223.
Helping Students Learn about Engineering and Business
Each year the Arsenal Team builds a robot with defined parameters. It’s essentially as if the students are starting up a business to raise funds and create a robot for competition within a three-month time span. With the help of their coaches and sponsors, students gain hands-on experience through this process.
This year the team’s sponsors included Automation Solutions LLC, NASA, Rockwell Automation, Marsh Electronics, and the Optimists Club. In addition, a team of nine mentors, including Automation Solutions’ President, Steve Nordness assists with the learning and growth of the team.
A quote on the Arsenal Engineering’s website explains, “FIRST is more than robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect – of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future.”
~Dean Kamen