Komatsu’s 3rd Annual Fluid Power Action Challenge

Programs like the Fluid Power Action Challenge are made possible in part by the generous support of industry volunteers as well as NFPA Education and Technology Foundation and Pascal Society donors. Support these efforts by making a donation.

After more than two years of hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, Komatsu held their 3rd annual Fluid Powers Action Challenge earlier this month. This year the competition was hosted in Franklin, PA, with 64 students from 9 different schools in the Northwestern part of Pennsylvania. This was the first time for many schools competing in Komatsu’s Fluid Power Action Challenge, and many of the educators were highly impressed with the program. One educator who participated in the challenge stated, “This project really allows the students to immerse themselves in the engineering design process, and it follows Next Generation Standards.”

During the competition, teams of students worked together to finish building a fluid power mechanical kit, which they used to compete against each other in a timed competition in a few weeks. The Fluid Power Action Challenge is an excellent opportunity for NFPA and our industry members to reach out to more schools and teachers across the country to educate students on fluid power technology and careers.

A huge special thanks to industry members who supported Komatsu as judges, volunteers, and sponsors: Allied Rubber and Supply, Custom Hydraulics, Fairmont Supply, Erik’s, Famic Technologies Inc, Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, Kaman Fluid Power, Kraft Fluid Systems, The Paquin Company, Parker Hannifin, RL Miller Inc, S. G. Morris, Schroeder Industries, Sun Hydraulics, Wojanis Supply.

This year National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) supported 54 schools and organizations with hosting Fluid Power Action Challenges classroom events, reaching 3,362 students. The National Fluid Power Association (or NFPA) issued more than $30,000 in grant funds to support fluid power curriculum in the classroom. NFPA has not only supported educators in the classroom, but this year NFPA has partnered with organizations that serve underserved populations to support STEM and fluid power curricula outside the classroom through our Fluid Power Connects initiative. NFPA is providing students with opportunities in fluid power to create a pipeline of engineers in fluid power.

If you are interested in hosting or participating in a Fluid Power Action Challenge, contact NFPA Workforce Program Manager Eric Pannell at epannell@nfpa.com or 414-778-3364.