Get Involved and Inspire Youth to Pursue Fluid Power Education with NFPA’s Wisconsin Fast Track Hub

One of NFPA’s strategic priorities is to increase the number of fluid power educated technicians and engineers. Our Fast Track to Fluid Power program is one of the workforce development initiatives conducted to fill that need. A Fast Track Hub centers on a technical or community college with a validated fluid power and mechatronics degree program. The program aims to develop a productive partnership between technical colleges, NFPA’s industry partners, and students and faculty in local middle and high schools.
Members are invited to participate in the following opportunities. These can help increase your company’s visibility with students and educators surrounding Waukesha County Technical College, NFPA’s Wisconsin Fast Track HUB, and build awareness for the industry.

Bay View High School (Milwaukee Public Schools) is Seeking Fluid Power Project Assistance

Bay View High School would like its engineering students to learn about fluid power through a hands-on class project. The lead educator’s plan is to build a kinetic wall operated by pneumatics, but the class needs mentoring and fluid power insight. The project will help students learn about fluid power, CAD, micro-controllers, and projection mapping.

The educator would like NFPA members to identify and offer sourcing guidance for the most appropriate fluid power components to perform the wall movements featured in the video. Plus, they would like guidance for building wall tiles that will connect to the fluid power system.

Anticipated Timing and Steps:

• Spring 2024 – NFPA members connect with the Bay View educators 1-2 times virtually.
• Summer 2024 – Bay View will work on the prototype and seek 1 virtual conversation with NFPA members.
• Fall Semester 2024 – The project will officially kick off in September and conclude mid-December. Students will build the wall with Bay View faculty. Participating NFPA Members will be asked to participate in three (3) “touchpoint” conversations taking place at the beginning, middle and end of the semester.

Visit a Fluid Power Action Challenge to See Today’s Youth Learn About Fluid Power

Have you wondered what happens at a Fluid Power Action Challenge event? Consider attending the one hosted at Waukesha County Technical College on March 8. In Wisconsin, the Action Challenge serves and the introductory piece of the larger education pathway that is the Fast Track to Fluid Power program. Price Engineering has been hosting this annual event with support from Danfoss and FORCE America and they are planning to have 40 teams of students compete against their peers next month. NFPA members are welcome to join to see how it works and help inspire students to choose fluid power education and career paths.

Can’t attend next month? Click here to review the many upcoming Workshop or Challenge Days to see fluid power education come to life!

Please reach out to James Foster at jfoster@nfpa.com with questions about these opportunities or to get involved.