The Manufacturing Institute and the Toyota Foundation have awarded the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI) a $7,000 grant to support its summer camp activities that involve STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills.
“We are very pleased to receive the support of the Manufacturing Institute and the Toyota Foundation,” said Charlotte Weber, director and CEO of RCBI. “Our camps allow young people to explore technology and engage in STEM activities in new ways.”
With guidance from RCBI engineers, technicians and outside experts, the young campers receive hands-on experience with computer-aided design, 3D Printing, coding and manufacturing. They also learn about career opportunities by interacting with West Virginia manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
More than 300 students have attended camps at RCBI. This summer, RCBI is presenting robotics camps in partnership with the Educator Resource Center at NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation Facilty (IV&V) in Fairmont and computer coding language camps in partnership with Marshall University.
This summer’s camps at RCBI also received financial support from the West Virginia Governor’s STEM Initiative and Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs, the foundation of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association.
“Because of this generous support, we have included additional camps offered at our South Charleston Center,” Weber said. “The interest in RCBI’s summer programs has been incredible, and because of the support of our partners, we are working to provide everyone interested in our programs the opportunity to enroll.”
The Manufacturing Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification, and development of world-class manufacturing talent. The Manufacturing Institute partners with organizations around the country on the Dream It. Do It. effort, which works to change perceptions about careers in manufacturing among students, parents and educators. RCBI is the lead Dream It. Do It. organization in West Virginia.
The Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI) provides leading-edge equipment, specialized training and staff expertise so entrepreneurs and manufacturers of all sizes can innovate, create jobs and thrive.