Palmer DCS Shines at Legacy Campus Automation Fair with “Pickle Popper”
Palmer Drives, Controls, and Systems (Palmer DCS) was thrilled to be a sponsor at the first-ever Legacy Campus Automation Fair! This exciting and dynamic event, a collaboration between Douglas County Schools Legacy Campus Advanced Robotics Pathway and Arapahoe Community College’s Robotics and Automation Technology (RAT) program, served as a bridge between education and industry, bringing students, educators, and professionals together to explore the cutting edge of automation and robotics.
From interactive exhibits to engaging discussions, the event offered a deep dive into the world of automation technology, industrial robotics, and engineering applications—fields that continue to shape the future of innovation. Palmer DCS was honored to be part of this experience, showcasing our passion for hands-on learning, technical education, and workforce development.
A huge thank you to Mike Shallenberger of DSCS Legacy Campus and Chris Gorrie from Arapahoe Community College for organizing and inviting us to this impactful event. With over 500 attendees, the fair was a fantastic opportunity to inspire future engineers, technicians, and automation specialists while highlighting exciting career pathways in the field.
Engaging the Next Generation of Innovators
Palmer DCS was one of 29 exhibitors that participated, each bringing something unique to the table. To stand out and offer attendees an interactive learning experience, we introduced the Palmer Pickle Popper Challenge—a hands-on activity that combined problem-solving, electrical wiring, and a bit of fun!
The challenge was simple yet effective: attendees had to correctly wire two sets of terminal blocks. If they succeeded, they were treated to an electrifying (and slightly hilarious) result—a glowing dill pickle! The reaction? Pure excitement. Over 100 students, parents, and even younger kids took part, eager to test their skills and learn a little bit about electrical conductivity and automation concepts in the process.
A special shoutout to Katie Winsor, Assistant Director of Legacy Campus, for participating alongside the students! We also want to recognize the moms who took on the challenge, proving that curiosity and learning have no age limit. Even 6- to 8-year-olds gave it a shot, showcasing their early interest in STEM!
Celebrating Collaboration and Innovation
Beyond our own booth, we were excited to see so many companies and organizations demonstrating cutting-edge automation solutions. A huge thank you to our valued vendor and customer, DMC Denver, for their engaging presentation on automation in action. Their tilt table system, designed to keep a rolling ball perfectly balanced, quickly became a crowd favorite, demonstrating precision control and real-world applications of automation.
We truly appreciate Sam Alvares and John Sullivan from DMC Denver for taking the time to showcase their impressive technology and for being a key part of making this event a success for students and industry professionals alike.
Team Effort and a Memorable Experience
A special thank you goes to Scott Carroll of Palmer DCS, who designed and built the Pickle Popper Challenge from scratch. His hard work ensured that attendees had a fun and educational hands-on experience that left a lasting impression.
We also want to extend our appreciation to Paul Carroll, James Palmer, Paul Kennedy, and TJ Cooney for manning our booth, guiding participants through the challenge, answering questions, and making sure everything ran smoothly. Their dedication helped create a welcoming and informative space for attendees to explore the exciting world of automation and control systems.
And of course, a huge thank you to our entire Palmer DCS team for their patience and endurance—especially after enduring a week of burnt dill pickle fumes while fine-tuning the challenge before the event! Their commitment to bringing education and automation together in a fun, hands-on way truly made this experience special.
Inspiring the Future of Automation and Robotics
Events like the Legacy Campus Automation Fair remind us why we love what we do. Seeing students’ faces light up as they connect with hands-on experiences, explore real-world automation applications, and engage with industry professionals is what makes these events so impactful.
At Palmer DCS, we are passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers, technicians, and automation specialists. The future of robotics and automation is bright, and we are excited to play a role in sparking curiosity, fostering innovation, and helping students take their first steps toward fulfilling careers in STEM fields.
We can’t wait to participate again next year and continue our mission of bringing automation to life in engaging, meaningful ways. Thank you again to everyone who made this event possible—we’ll see you at the next one!