NFPA Educator Partners Are Looking for Project Ideas

When we talk to our education partners at the high school, technical college, and university levels, we often hear that they are looking for ideas for hands-on projects that allow the students to get some real-world experiences. Beyond their direct feedback to us, an article that was recently published in Inside Higher Ed quotes a Wiley report that states” a whopping 81 percent of students also said that it’s important or very important for institutions to incorporate company-led projects to mimic real-world work. Yet only 30 percent of institutions currently offer such projects, according to the report.”

One of NFPA’s Power Partner Universities, Northern Illinois University (NIU) is looking to industry representatives for project ideas for their Senior Design Program. This is an excellent opportunity to not only utilize student talent for projects, but to also engage with NIU engineering students and faculty. Please find the attached document with further information.

The NFPA can connect you with students and instructors to conduct the project through the relationships we have built with our education partners and our Fluid Power Club program, but we need your input on the types of hands on-activities would be benefit students seeking knowledge and careers in the fluid power industry.

Projects could involve any of the following, or more:

  1. Data acquisition and data interpretations
  2. Integration
  3. Testing
  4. Functional systems that can be run in a lab or on a field
  5. Troubleshooting
Contact Stephanie at sscaccianoce@nfpa.com to share project ideas with additional universities or to learn more.

Recent Posts

Allison Forsythe Speaks About the Value of Participating in Standards Development

We’re excited to share a new onboarding video from Allison Forsythe, your Standards and Program Manager at the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA). In this video, Allison highlights the important work we’re doing in standards development and how you can get involved. At NFPA, we manage both domestic and international standards, including those through the…

Read More about Allison Forsythe Speaks About the Value of Participating in Standards Development

Enhance Your 2025 NFPA Annual Conference Experience By Bringing a Guest

2025 NFPA Annual ConferenceFebruary 25-27, 2025Tucson, AZRegistration Now Open The 2025 NFPA Annual Conference is not just about professional growth—it’s an opportunity to connect with your peers, your industry, and even your loved ones. As always, we’re offering an inviting Spouse/Guest Program that encourages you to bring someone special along to share in this experience.…

Read More about Enhance Your 2025 NFPA Annual Conference Experience By Bringing a Guest

NFPA Executive Leadership Program Dives into the Art of Negotiation

The NFPA Executive Leadership Program is an in-depth and interactive program that helps emerging leaders in the fluid power industry develop their network and advance their management and leadership skills through tailored content. Its sessions are presented in collaboration with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, with Kellogg faculty helping to curate interactions among…

Read More about NFPA Executive Leadership Program Dives into the Art of Negotiation