Students visit Balluff to learn about sensors, manufacturing

Florence, Kentucky – Balluff invited local middle school students to participate in facility tours and discussions through a partnership with Gateway Community & Technical College and Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the nation's leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.

On April 24, 2015, 30 students from Grant County Middle School in Northern Kentucky visited Balluff and spent several hours touring the facilities, while learning about the various areas and career opportunities in manufacturing. Students participated in tours, product demonstrations, lunch, and a question and answer session with several of Balluff's engineers and marketing managers.

"Our goal is to excite our local students about manufacturing and to spark interest for their future plans through education and the workforce," stated Leah Cridlin, Balluff's Training and Development Specialist, and coordinator of this event.

Kelli Lee, PLTW automation/robotics teacher for Grant County Middle School, attended this field trip with her students. Lee commented, "This was a great experience for the students to see the various ways that sensors impact their life and how the sensors are used in multiple industries."

Balluff CEO Kent Howard welcomed students and accompanied them on tours through Balluff's Manufacturing and Logistics Center and their new Customer Support Center. Will Healy III, Strategic Marketing Manager for Balluff, demonstrated various product and technology demos to students. Healy added, “Looking to the future of manufacturing, we need skilled and excited people for automation. This demands that we encourage and invest in STEM programs at schools to help develop the next generation of manufacturing.”

Balluff supports several STEM initiatives in the local community and also participates in TECHFIT (Teaching Engineering Concepts to Harness Future Innovators and Technologists) programs at Purdue University and The College of Charleston.

Project Lead The Way is the nation's leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math programs. Through world-class K-12 curriculum, high-quality teacher professional development, and outstanding partnerships, PLTW is helping students develop the skills needed to succeed in the global economy.

Source: Balluff Inc.