Grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 are available to not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions capable of offering overnight or day camp experiences in summer 2009 that introduce young people to careers in manufacturing and engineering.
The grants are a collaborative effort between the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Foundation (FMAF) and the Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs Foundation (NBTF), founded by John Ratzenberger. The actor, who is best known as Cliff on NBC's “Cheers,” is a champion of American manufacturing. His charitable organization, NBTF, is dedicated to introducing young people to the joys of tinkering, inspiring the next generation of skilled manual artists, engineers, and inventors. The FMA Foundation is an educational, research, and charitable organization that promotes metal forming and fabricating technology in manufacturing.
The purpose of the manufacturing camps is to provide a positive, hands-on experience so young people will consider manufacturing as a future career option. Camps must target young people between 12 and 16 years old. Preference will be given to organizations serving minority populations. The application deadline is December 12, 2008.
Suggested curriculum for a week-long manufacturing camp might include a day or two of introduction to CAD software, a day or two in a fabrication shop or training facility, and a day of touring regional manufacturing facilities.
Grant recipients will be named at the Metal Matters 2009 executive summit, a conference sponsored by FMA and The Tube & Pipe Association International (TPA), set for March 25-27, 2009, at Carefree Resort and Villa near Phoenix AZ.
More information and the grant application are available online at www.fma-foundation.org.