News & Press
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Joins Ribbon-Cutting for Experiential Robotics Platform in Cleveland Metro Schools
CLEVELAND – On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, education, industry, and government leaders gathered at MAGNET in Cleveland for the official ribbon-cutting of the Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), a groundbreaking initiative preparing Ohio students for the future of work in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and automation. The program will introduce over 1,000 robotics kits – at less than the cost of a textbook – into CMSD classrooms this fall.
The mission of the XRP program is to make STEM learning accessible to every student by driving down costs and leveraging community and industry partnerships. What began in 2019 as a White House workforce initiative, later expanded by the National Science Foundation, has grown into a global platform that has already delivered more than 25,000 robotics kits to schools in over 180 countries. The XRP robotics kit is 3D printed to allow students to engage with the cutting edge of technology. To make this possible, the Community Manufacturing Initiative (CMI), under Experiential, is deploying 3D print farms to MAGNET that are powered by eight Prusa Core One printers – assembled in the U.S. for the first time by Printed Solid. Beyond hardware, CMI is launching an educational masterclass series featuring global leaders and innovators in additive manufacturing. This lifetime-access program allows anyone to learn directly from the experts shaping the future of 3D printing, making world-class knowledge accessible to all.
Ohio hopes to be the second state to adopt XRP statewide, following New Hampshire, with CMSD leading the launch. XRP’s distinctive “Pay It Forward” model creates a self-sustaining cycle: industry helps design the tools, higher education institutions manufacture them, and K–12 schools integrate them into coursework, while being completely open-sourced. School districts can use 3D printers they already own to produce robotics parts, giving college students hands-on manufacturing experience while supplying classrooms with affordable kits. This approach not only lowers costs but also builds a local and vertically integrated pipeline connecting high schools, career technical centers, colleges, and industry, making the program self-sustainable. This effort is also paving the way for more schools to participate in FIRST® Robotics, the world’s leading robotics competition.
CMSD’s East Tech High School students will produce over 500 XRP robots with the 3D printers during their Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship with MAGNET. These robots will be distributed to CMSD middle schools, providing access to computational thinking and engineering design. This partnership is part of a broader initiative to expand Cleveland Robotics, with six FIRST® Robotics Competition Teams in high school, 19 FIRST® Tech Challenge Teams in a middle school league, and 45 FIRST® Lego League Teams supporting grades K-8. Robotics students continue exploring engineering in STEM Camps and paid internships each summer through a partnership with Cleveland State University. Over 40 students participated in an XRP STEM Camp this past summer.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon praised the launch. “The XRP program demonstrates how locally driven innovation can meet one of today’s biggest challenges: the impact of AI and automation on the American workforce,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “By giving students hands-on experience in coding and engineering, Experiential Robotics is helping close the skills gap and prepare the next-generation for high-demand, high-tech careers. I’m pleased to see communities stepping up with solutions that not only strengthen economies, but respond to the real needs of families, schools, and employers.”
The Sherwin-Williams Company served as a leader in bringing XRP to Ohio, joining forces with JobsOhio, the Ohio Manufacturers Association, and The Ohio State University to ensure the program’s success. “Northeast Ohio is home to the Sherwin-Williams global headquarters and the Morikis Global Technology Center and supporting Cleveland Metro Schools through the XRP program is an investment in the future of our community,” said Sherwin-Williams Senior Vice President of Human Resources Marlena K. Boyce. “By helping students gain hands-on experience in STEM, we’re ensuring that the next generation is prepared for the opportunities of tomorrow’s workforce.” The Sherwin-Williams Company is investing in the XRP program through its partnership with JobsOhio, Ohio's private nonprofit economic development corporation, and JobsOhio regional network partner Team NEO. The companies work together to attract, develop, and retain top talent in Northeast Ohio. “Advanced manufacturing is an integral industry throughout the state with Northeast Ohio being a hub for continued innovation,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Launching the Experiential Robotics Platform in partnership with Sherwin-Williams, MAGNET, and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District further ensures the state’s talent pipeline is ready to excel in roles where coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence skills are essential.”
For Ohio, the Cleveland launch of the XRP program is part of the state’s comprehensive efforts to build the workforce of the future. “The launch of the Experiential Robotics Platform in Cleveland Metro Schools is another step toward equipping Ohio students with the skills necessary to thrive in an innovation-driven economy,” said the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin. “By embedding robotics and hands-on STEM learning into classrooms, we’re preparing students for the technologies that will shape tomorrow’s jobs and building a statewide talent pipeline that connects education to industry.” State Representative Kevin Ritter, who leads Ohio’s XRP effort, stressed the legislative momentum behind the program. “We plan to make XRP a priority in the K–12 and Workforce & Higher Education Committees, with the goal of including it in the state’s next budget cycle and driving adoption across school districts,” said State Representative Kevin Ritter. “Our estimate is that outfitting every classroom in Ohio over three years would cost roughly $9 million – a modest and very achievable investment with transformative potential. And importantly, production of the kits will be done locally, leveraging 3D printers already purchased by school districts in prior years. That gives higher education students new opportunities to apply advanced additive manufacturing training while creating tools that will directly benefit K–12 classrooms.”
The September 23 ribbon-cutting marked Secretary McMahon’s visit to Ohio to celebrate CMSD and MAGNET as the newest hub for the Experiential Robotics Platform. By bringing together state leaders, industry partners, and local educators, the event underscores Ohio’s commitment to leading the way in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of a workforce reshaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
Media Contact:
Matt Englehart
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About JobsOhio
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO. JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.