Josh Weston, honorary chairman of Automated Data Processing, and three representatives of the Yuval Education Services of Israel, visited Mt. Olive High School in Mount Olive, N.J., and Picatinny Arsenal's innovation lab and 3D printing facility on May 29.
At Mt. Olive High School, the Yuval Education Services representatives and Weston were introduced to FIRST robotics. For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology robotics (FIRST) is an international program that aims to foster high school students' interest in science and technology by hosting robotic competitions that provide real-world engineering experience.
The representatives and Weston also learned about 3D printing in the classroom as well as the importance of engineer and scientist mentors in after school clubs, such as FIRST, which allow students to apply their education to hands-on activities and potential science, technology, engineering, or mathematics careers.
Later, at Picatinny, Ralph Tillinghast, director of the arsenal's innovation lab, discussed how Picatinny engineers find inspiration in commercial products and how using these "off-the-shelf" items for problem solving can reduce overall costs in development.
At the arsenal's 3D printing facility, James Zunino, a materiel engineer, explained how additive manufacturing can reduce research and development time cycles by designing, developing, testing and redesigning components without the need for prototype production.
Visitors also discussed how additive manufacturing can be incorporated into K-12 classrooms to help reinforce the core curriculum and connect the educational lessons to modern, real-world engineering and design careers.
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Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC)
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