Viking Pump, Inc and Cedar Falls FTC Robotics Club: A Partnership Driving The Future

In a collaboration that exemplifies the power of industry-education partnerships, Viking Pump, Inc. and the Cedar Falls School District’s FTC Robotics Club have forged a relationship that provides a critical space for students to thrive and enhances educational opportunities in the Cedar Falls community. The partnership has been years in the making and highlights Viking Pump’s ongoing commitment to supporting future generations.

The work-based learning ties between Viking Pump and Cedar Falls Schools date back to the spring of 2017 when Viking Pump became the original host site for the Cedar Falls Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program. The CAPS program, designed to bridge the gap between students and real-world industry experiences, quickly saw Viking Pump emerge as a key player in providing resources and expertise to students interested in profession-based learning. As part of its ongoing commitment, Viking Pump’s President has served on the CAPS advisory board, ensuring strong ties between the company and the school district.

When the Cedar Falls Robotics Program saw an increase in student participation in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), the need for a larger, more suitable workspace became evident. Recognizing the potential for a mutually beneficial arrangement, Cedar Falls Schools approached Viking Pump’s leadership to explore the possibility of utilizing warehouse space at the company’s State Street facility.

Viking Pump President, Ben Green, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting education and workforce development: “Viking thinks it important to support the communities within which our facilities reside. The whole point of private enterprise is to provide opportunities for people so that they can better support their families and further their aspirations. This is just another way to give back a little to the Cedar Falls community.”

What is FTC Robotics?

The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a robotics competition for middle and high school students, offering them hands-on experience in designing, building, and programming robots while developing essential teamwork and problem-solving skills. Operating under a sports-model format, FTC features teams of up to 15 students working collaboratively to construct and program robots that compete in an alliance-based competition. Robots, starting at 18 inches in height, width, and length, operate in a structured game on a 12’x12’ field. These competitions challenge students to apply engineering principles and develop strategic thinking.

Beyond the competition, FTC encourages community outreach, innovation, and teamwork. With challenges evolving each year, participants gain an ever-expanding skill set that prepares them for future careers in engineering, programming, and beyond.

The Impact of the Partnership

Lead FTC Robotics Coach, Carmen McIntyre, highlighted the advantages of the new space: “The space we now have at Viking Pump is much larger than what we had at the old Cedar Falls High School location. This has given our teams the ability to meet more frequently, providing them with more time to develop and build their robots. As a result, the teams are able to be more competitive with other FTC teams in the area.” On Saturday, February 8th, Cedar Falls FTC teams hosted a league tournament at Peet Junior High for 27 FTC teams from throughout northeast Iowa. Two of the 5 Cedar Falls FTC teams advanced to the 2025 FTC Iowa Championships on Feb 28 - Mar 1st. Carmen continued, “Moving our build site to Viking Pump played a large role in these teams being able to earn their awards and advancement. Both teams were able to meet more often as well as collaborate with the other teams,” 

Eric Rosburg, Executive Director of Secondary Education for Cedar Falls Schools, expressed gratitude for the partnership: “Viking Pump has been a tremendous partner to the Cedar Falls Community School District and our Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program for many years, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support of our robotics programs. Their generosity in providing a dedicated space has created new opportunities for students to collaborate at a higher level and engage in hands-on, high-level STEM experiences.”

As the FTC Robotics Program settled into its new space, the benefits of the partnership quickly became evident. Students gained a professional, industry-adjacent environment in which to develop their engineering and teamwork skills, At the same time, Viking Pump reinforced its reputation as a leader in community engagement and STEM advocacy, playing a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators.

McIntyre also noted the positive impact on students' learning experiences, “The students learn leadership, critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork skills as well as hands-on experience with CAD, programming, and manufacturing. These are skills that the FTC students will use as they go off to college and beyond into their future careers.”

Looking to the Future

Ben Green underscored Viking Pump’s commitment to workforce development, “Viking is very interested in promoting engineering and technology jobs and careers to the next generation of workers. Our future success depends upon them. This is an opportunity for more people to understand the career opportunities in the field we will be recruiting for in the coming years.”

As both organizations look to the future, the impact of this collaboration will extend beyond the confines of a warehouse. The FTC Robotics Program will continue to inspire young minds, equipping students with skills essential for careers in STEM fields, while Viking Pump solidifies its role as a pillar of support in the Cedar Falls educational ecosystem. This partnership stands as a testament to what is possible when industry and education work hand in hand to shape the future. As Eric Rosburg said, "Strong industry partnerships, like our partnership with Viking Pump, are critical in preparing students for their purpose. These collaborations open doors for students to explore career pathways they might not have previously considered while equipping them with the durable and technical skills for future success.”