The Mobile Fab Lab in front of Michigan’s State Capitol in Lansing.
Triune Specialty Trailers is proud to support STEM education not only in Michigan, but also across the country. Triune had the pleasure of hosting and attending two great events discussing STEM education programs.
First, Triune had the honor of showing off one of our favorite trailers, the Mobile Fab Lab, at Michigan’s Capitol on June 10, 2015. The Fab Lab is a mobile classroom that provides CNC programming training and promotes awareness of high-tech manufacturing jobs. While at the State Capitol, Triune held a special demonstration and presentation for legislators and private/public stakeholders.
(L-R) Shiloh Guarisco – Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Tom Erhart – Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Jeff Gardner – North Central Michigan College, and Michigan Senator, Wayne Schmidt.
Tom Erhart, Entrepreneurship Director at Northern Lakes Economic Alliance and Harry Kurtz, CEO of Triune Specialty Trailers, spoke to the legislative audience about the Fab Lab and how mobile specialty training classrooms could help fill the manufacturing skills gap as well as provide much needed STEM education in our schools. “The Fab Lab is instrumental in filling a skill and employment gap, and Triune is honored to be a part of its success,” said Kurtz at the ceremony. “Using mobile classrooms to facilitate STEM education and initiatives is an exciting prospect for the state of Michigan.”
Anne Mervenne and Tim Heubner
In addition to the ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, the Fab Lab itself was parked on the street and was open for tours and demonstrations. Michigan Senator Wayne Schmidt was able to take a tour and had encouraging words for the Fab Lab, “Michigan has a great higher education but we also have great career and technical education, and the Fab Lab brings that education right to students.”
It was a successful visit that showcased the Fab Lab as an innovative mobile education solution.
You can view the visit and tour part of the Fab Lab here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sq7uwvVxRY
Second, Triune participated in a Congressional briefing on STEM education on October 1st, 2015 in Washington D.C. Triune and other members of the Mobile Laboratory Coalition joined with STEM professionals, educators and partners from across the country to promote STEM education and mobile learning labs.
The Mobile Laboratory Coalition is a national partnership of science education programs whose common vision is to inspire an appreciation and knowledge of science and scientific inquiry. At the event, the Coalition shared strategies to engage the next-generation STEM workforce through the development and dissemination of traveling laboratories and education programs.
The panel of esteemed speakers presented proven and effective STEM education programs that are successfully being used across the country to drive interest and academic success among students through a combination of inquiry-based learning and real-life exposure to STEM careers.
“Michigan’s economy is dependent upon a skilled and educated STEM workforce,” said Harry Kurtz, CEO and President of Triune who was among the speakers. “Sharing expertise and connecting partners with a common vision for STEM education is a key objective for the Coalition and for Triune. We’re dedicated to creating Michigan’s STEM workforce of tomorrow.”
It was a privilege to be part of both events and will continue to support STEM education programs.