Ingersoll Rand and Project Scientist Host STEM Learning Event at Charlotte Trane Facility
Charlotte, N.C., Nov. 5, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Ingersoll Rand hosted 43 girls between the ages of 5 and 13 as part of an ongoing relationship with Project Scientist on Friday, Oct. 31 at its Trane Remanufacturing facility in Charlotte. Trane is a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand.
The Project Scientist girls participated in STEM-related projects and discussed the importance of women in STEM fields with Marcy McClanahan, Trane plant manager; Scott Krull, president HVAC Parts and Supply Solutions; and Shelly Biby, Project Scientist program manager. Participants also dressed up as their favorite scientist and joined in trick-or-treating festivities.
“We were thrilled to bring these young girls to the Charlotte Trane facility and let them experience a ‘day in the life’ of a STEM professional,” said Misty Zelent, director of the Ingersoll Rand Charitable Foundation. “As an industry leader and member of the Charlotte community, it is a great privilege to be part of the intellectual growth of future leaders who express interest in STEM fields.”
The interactive event consisted of three primary activities for the Project Scientist girls to participate in, each focusing on different aspects of STEM careers:
- Manufacturing and Production – Participants observed the shop floor from above, giving them a bird’s eye view of the daily work associated with the manufacturing and production industry. Students then witnessed a robot welder in action, which was followed by a game focusing on critical analysis. The students used analytical thinking to estimate the approximate weight of a compressor, estimated how many students it would take to match the compressor’s weight and, finally, tested their hypothesis by stepping on a scale as a group.
- Product Marketing – The students interacted in a hands-on activity where they learned about a variety of engineering products and how these products are best marketed. Working in teams, students designed sample marketing collateral.
- Manufacturing Engineering Exercise – Using a method sheet, students built a tinker toy car. After successfully following the method sheet and building the car, students decorated their cars and went head-to-head in a friendly car race.
“Through our partnership with Ingersoll Rand and the Ingersoll Rand Charitable Foundation, we have been able to give 43 young ladies a fantastic day of STEM educational activities that were hands-on, interactive, and fun,” said Biby. “These girls will lead the world in solving tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Through opportunities such as the one Ingersoll Rand and their outstanding employees provided today, we believe we will have a helping hand in making that happen."
The Ingersoll Rand Charitable Foundation recently donated $10,000 to Project Scientist; giving five Latina girls aged 4-12 from the Charlotte area the opportunity to attend the Project Scientist Academy. The academy is a five week summer program focused on STEM education.
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About Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands—including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane®—work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $12 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.
About Project Scientist
The only focused effort of its kind Project Scientist was developed as a manifold organization, complete with many phases and programs to offer girls support throughout each unique stage of a future scientists life. The need for Project Scientist was based off a vast amount of research that shows girls with a high skill, aptitude, and talent for STEM subjects are not currently served or identified at a young age. Underserved and unidentified girls are not provided STEM opportunities at a pace, depth, and breadth commensurate with their talents and interests. We created Project Scientist to change the world’s view of “who” a scientist is and “what” a scientist does. The vision of Project Scientist is to transform the face of STEM by nurturing today’s future scientists who will lead the world in solving tomorrow's greatest challenges! For more information, visit www.projectscientist.org.
Contact:
Amanda Zeaser, Ingersoll Rand
704-655-4994
Amanda.Zeaser@irco.com
