CANFIELD, Ohio - Robots are taking over, but not like you see in sci-fi movies. They're becoming a big part of many industries, so schools like the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Valley STEM Academy are using that idea to push just about every class to the next level.

You can call it the rise of the robots.

"We've got some great equipment here. We're fortunate. That's because we've worked hard to re-prioritize our budget so that we're able to spend money on kids, which is where the money should go," said Dr. Mara Banfield, the career tech director at MCCTC and superintendent at Valley STEM Academy.

What they've done is identified how common it is for a lot of their career tracks to incorporate robotics, then done themselves, right in the classroom.

"Most industrial robots that you see you've got to build a fence or some sort of area where workers or students can't enter while it's running because it is a danger," said Mike Lopuchovsky, who uses a co-robot in his classes. "These co-robots are a little bit smaller and they've got some safety measures built into them, some safety stops."

The smaller they are, the more mobile they are, giving every class from Math to English a chance to build them into the course.

"It really helps answer that question of 'When am I ever going to use this?' Students ask that all the time. Then I'm like, 'ok we're going to use it here. You want to program this robot? This is math.' And when they realize that, they're like, oh Math is actually pretty fun," said math teacher Lynette Seebacher.

"We do entrepreneurship... they'll print out prototypes of their company logos or inventions and then learn how to market it, pitch it, do research," said STEM English teacher Melanie Brock.

It gives the students a hands-on approach to see their ideas come to life.

"If you're able to see something on paper and then imagine it in real life and actually picture it and hold it in your hands, that huge difference to some kids," said student Aiden Terziu.

"The kids can learn from Mr. Lopuchovsky first, get comfortable with is co-bot, come down to Ramtec, work with the tabletop one and then eventually get to run what they like to call Bumblebee back here because it kind of reminds them of a big transformer," said RAMTEC coordinator Jason Moore.

Exposing them, not only to new equipment, but new ideas and possibilities.

"I had one kid last year run one part on there. Then this year, three or four kids see that one part and now they want to. 'Hey I want to try this machine.' It's really cool how what we're doing here, the culture and the projects and the stuff becomes contagious," said engineering and manufacturing instructor Todd VanOrman.

With a new grant they'll have another co-robot on board, adding to what's become an ever-evolving classroom experience.

"We're equipping our kids with a skillset," said Dr. Banfield. "The technology is always going to change and become more advanced; just like at home, you're always chasing a nicer TV. We're equipping our kids with the ability to problem solve and think through things, so no matter what the technology is, they'll be able to figure it out."

So robots aren't actually taking over; it's the students and staff in the driver's seat, mapping out a new experience for all of them.

The demand for this is huge right now. The STEM Academy's already approaching a waiting list for next year.

MCCTC is still taking applications, so if you want to set up a tour you can find more information on how to schedule that through their website.