Michelin North America in Lexington Funds Robotics Studies with $30k Donation
Supporting Robotics in Lexington County School District
The local leadership of Michelin North America in Lexington, South Carolina, has recently committed a gift of $30,000 to support the Lexington County School District One Educational Foundation. This pledge demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to education, specifically in the area of computer science for middle and high school students.
Over the course of the next three years, Michelin’s donation will distribute $10,000 annually to the District’s Educational Foundation. The funds will primarily be directed toward the District’s middle and high school VEX robotics teams, of which there are currently nine. These teams center their activities and competitions around VEX robotics on both local and state levels.
Impact on STEM Education
Julie Anderson Washburn, the Executive Director of the Lexington One Foundation, expressed gratitude towards Michelin for their support of STEM experiences through the district’s VEX robotics teams. She noted that these experiences impart crucial STEM skills, including computer science, design, coding, and engineering, as well as soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These skills have a high market value and can pave the way for students into various industries, such as manufacturing.
Chris Goumas, Site Director at Michelin North America, Inc., responded to inquiries regarding the donation by highlighting the company’s vision behind the investment. According to him, the funding aims to prepare students for the increasing presence of automation and robotics in daily lives. He mentions that Michelin prioritizes establishing strong relationships with communities where they operate, and is thrilled to extend their partnership with the Lexington District One Educational Foundation.
Previous Success and Future Enrichment
Michelin’s financial investments in Lexington District One’s robotics program have seen tangible results since 2018. Over the preceding three years, many of the district’s high school robotics teams have effectively competed in local and statewide contests and earned spots in the VEX Worlds Competition held each year in May. Moreover, Michelin had also provided employment to some of the district’s former robotics team members, thus ensuring a smooth transition from skill acquisition to practical work application.
The board of directors at the Lexington One Educational Foundation expressed their gratitude toward Michelin North America, Inc. The board members relayed their appreciation for the corporate partner’s emphasis on STEM education and their investment in hands-on experiences for students. These initiatives significantly bolster career opportunities for students in the future and reinforce the importance of technology education in schools.
This remarkable donation signals Michelin’s sustained investment in the educational infrastructure of Lexington, South Carolina. As a result, future generations will receive a quality technological education that will undoubtedly impact their future careers and the prosperity of the state.
Source: HERE News Network.
