“I have witnessed too many unfair opportunities for kids, specifically with our underserved, children of color. I started Young Thinkers of York to provide kids, regardless of their circumstances, equal access to a STEM learning experience. As a parent of a son who has been involved with robotics for the past 8 years, I truly believe that a STEM education can help define a person and not their zip code.” Ray Ames, Jan 2021
In January 2017, Ray Ames founded Young Thinkers of York, a youth organization dedicated to introducing robotics and engineering to curious students in the City of York. He now serves as Program Director since the organization merged with the YMCA of the Roses in August 2024. Ray set out from the beginning to be the liaison between young people and robotics in the City of York. He is known as the “Robot Guy” to many kids and parents, and he has personally taught and facilitated programs for over 2000 students.
Over the past 5 years, Ray has diligently worked to create programs and workshops for all ages. Laying down an early foundation is key to making the connection between urban communities and science and technology, which is why Ray’s youngest students are 3 years old. Ray is best known for creating a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics team for elementary and middle school students in the City of York called the RoboThinkers. His teams have won 22 awards, and in 2019, they were the first team in York County to ever compete in a national FLL competition.
Before devoting his work full-time to Young Thinkers of York, Ray was the president of The Central Penn Business Group, a marketing company serving small businesses in York. After recognizing the lack of diversity and representation of the underserved community in local STEM positions, Ray decided to direct his attention to sharing his robotics and engineering expertise with as many young people as possible through his afterschool program.
Ray is a graduate of Penn State University with a BS in Business and a minor in Information Sciences & Technology. He has taught a classroom robotics course at York College to prepare future teachers to bring robotics into their classrooms.
Ray enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his family. He has been a resident of York since 2002.