Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County–Together, Inc. (REACT), a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, is expanding access to STEM education, reaching hundreds of local students each year. What began as a simple idea to make robotics participation possible for youth has grown into a county-wide movement that blends hands-on learning, teamwork, and real-world pathways.
Founded in 2017, REACT was created to eliminate common barriers that kept students from joining robotics teams: registration fees, equipment kits, and travel costs. By stepping in to fill these gaps, the organization allows schools, coaches, and students to focus on designing, building, and competing instead of fundraising.
“We grew from approximately five teams in our first year to now averaging about 25 teams a year through our county, which equates to about between 200 and 300 kids a year that participate in Robotics,” shares REACT President Barry Hartung.
Hartung joined the program shortly after its founding and quickly connected with its mission. Living in an underserved area, he had long recognized the challenges facing disadvantaged youth in the community. REACT, he explained, was an opportunity to level the playing field.
The human impact is clearest in the stories of students and families: “I remember one particular team with two children facing especially difficult home lives. One child had parents who were recovering addicts trying to restart their lives, and this program gave them a chance to see something truly wonderful for their child. Another child on the team had tragically lost both parents to drug overdoses. That’s where REACT steps in—we help kids attend state championships by providing transportation and hotel accommodations. REACT fills that gap and makes it possible for these children to participate. It is truly a community program.”
Today, teams range from elementary and middle school students building robots with LEGO kits to high school students designing complex machines using rotors, motors, and steel components, coding them for larger missions. With its first cohort of students now graduating high school, REACT has begun supporting post-graduation opportunities as well. Through partnerships with organizations like IBM Global Business Services, the program looks to help connect students to internships and career pathways, extending its impact well beyond the competition.
As participation has grown, so have the opportunities. REACT now runs summer camps introducing students to coding, hardware, and artificial intelligence (AI), filling an important STEM education gap in the county. Hartung described one camp that compared student-created projects to AI-generated ones. “We are even dipping into AI and teaching how to use AI responsibly,” he said. “We are teaching kids how to code video games, and we actually did a side-by-side comparison of what the kids had made with an AI-generated video game. AI is a powerful tool, but the games coded by kids were more fun to play and made more sense.”
Building on this success, the organization has recently made significant progress toward creating the REACT Institute for STEM Education (RISE), an institution designed to expand access to advanced STEM programming and prepare Allegany County youth for future careers.
Located at 120 Fayette Street in Cumberland, the facility is currently undergoing renovations to make it fully functional. Phase 1, now complete, included asbestos removal, roof and mortar repair, installation of a new accessibility ramp and front entrance, ADA-compliant upgrades to upper-level restrooms, refinishing of upper-level wood floors, replacement of lower-level flooring, and electrical updates.
Phase 2 renovations at the RISE facility are scheduled to begin in Fall 2025. The completion of these renovations will allow REACT to fully utilize the building’s two levels and host a wide array of programming in a safe, comfortable, and more energy-efficient environment.
Whether it’s students eager to join a team, parents interested in coaching, or community members looking to support the program through sponsorship, REACT continues to welcome involvement from all who want to help. To learn more or volunteer, contact Barry Hartung at barry@reactallegany.org.
Read more stories about local business success and economic growth in Allegany County here.
