In celebration of National STEM Day on Nov. 8, Purdue University’s Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) partnered with Cummins to launch four new Design and Innovation Studios in elementary and middle schools across Indiana. These studios bring hands-on, career-connected learning opportunities to K-12 students.
The ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held at Jefferson Middle School and Arlington Elementary in Fort Wayne, and at Forest Glen Elementary and Belzer Middle School in Indianapolis. The launches marked a significant milestone in IN-MaC’s mission to build a robust talent pipeline for Indiana’s future workforce.
Sascha Harrell, director of education and workforce at IN-MaC, noted the long-term impact of these early educational initiatives.
"Indiana’s future workforce begins in classrooms like these," Harrell said. "By partnering with Cummins, we are helping schools build early STEM experiences that connect students to real-world careers and long-term opportunities. This work ensures students are not just future-ready but future-confident.”
The launches were part of Cummins’ celebration of National STEM Day, which focused on the company's commitment to advancing STEM education through its Cummins READY initiative. The partnership with IN-MaC is a highlight of Cummins’ efforts to create accessible spaces that spark curiosity and encourage learning.
Design and Innovation Studios provide students with hands-on learning environments equipped with cutting-edge technologies. These spaces are designed to give young learners a front-row seat to the skills and concepts that will shape tomorrow's industries, from clean energy to digital technologies.
The Cummins READY initiative’s goal is “to help at least one million learners and workers get on a pathway to education and career success by 2030.”
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