PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu

August 9, 2016

NPC HOSTS YOUNG MANUFACTURERS ACADEMY 

Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) hosted a Young Manufacturers Academy (YMA) last week. This was the second annual event for YMA which included 25 students in sixth through eighth grade.

The weeklong academy was full of activities that introduced students to numerous career opportunities in the field of manufacturing. Highlights of the week will included a robotics activity at the Mid-America Science Museum, a Lean Manufacturing Event hosted by the Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions Group, a visit from the Be Pro Be Proud mobile unit, industry tours to Alliance Rubber and AirTech Supply, and a field trip to the Arkansas School for Math, Sciences and the Arts (ASMSA). Student teams presented about their experiences to their families and friends Friday.

Young Manufactures participantsThis event was sponsored by the Gene Haas Foundation, who provided grants for YMA programs across the state. The Gene Haas Foundation has donated $177,500 to Arkansas schools this year. NPC was awarded $10,000 in grant funds to support the YMA event and fund scholarships for programs delivered by NPC’s Innovative Technologies Center.

Pictured Above: NPC YMA participants with HAAS representative, Tony Russell (center right), NPC President, Dr. John Hogan, Vice President for Workforce and Strategic Initiatives, Kelli Albrecht, Director of Development, Sara Brown, and Innovative Technologies Center Director, William Polk.

Young Manufactures 3DStudent weldingYoung Manufactures CompetitionAlliance Tour

Pictured Above, left to right:
ITC Director, William Polk, instructing YMA participants about 3D modeling and printing.
YMA student practicing welding skills in the Be Proud Be Pro truck.
Brian Smith led a tour of the Alliance Rubber factory for YMA participants.
YMA participants Tillie Reagler, Jake Wernette, Conner Hough, and Conner Robertson in a group competition to assemble robotics.