The past year has been a whirlwind of uncertainty and adaptability for the Explore the New Manufacturing Program and our manufacturing and educational partners. Our main concern quickly became what we could do to support teachers and their students when normalcy was no longer something that anyone could take for granted.In reflection, the Explore team's pivots throughout 2020-2021 allowed us to develop a new virtual program and introduce a new high school program while flexing existing programming to accommodate virtual tools.We ended the year stronger and are ready for the next challenge.

Charleston, WV, August 9, 2021 – The West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund Inc. (WVMAEF) announced today the awarding of a $22,000 grant from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) to support the continuation and expansion of its Explore the New Manufacturing programming within Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Clay, Lincoln and Fayette counties. The purpose of this initiative is to increase interest in manufacturing careers among middle and high school students in West Virginia.

“TGKVF is excited to partner with the WVMA Educational Fund in support of the Explore the New Manufacturing program in our region. The Foundation is committed to building the skills of students to become productive and successful. Through programs like Explore the New Manufacturing, middle and high school youth will receive the education and guidance that prepares them for careers in promising economic sectors,” stated Dr. Michelle Foster, TGKVF President and CEO.

Parkersburg, WV, June 9, 2021 – Explore the New Manufacturing has announced the completion of a Manufacturing Innovation Challenge, which teamed six students from the Wood County Technical Center /Caperton Center for Applied Technologies and DuPont. The challenge required the students to develop an app that would increase employee efficiency by providing access to information related to the facility, products and their job roles. Mr. Jared Voldness, Pre-Engineering & Computer Science Instructor, served as the advisor to the student team for this effort.

Charleston, WV, June 8, 2021 – The West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund Inc. (WVMAEF) announced today the awarding of a $187,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to support the continuation and expansion of its Explore the New Manufacturing programming. The purpose of this initiative is to increase interest in manufacturing careers among middle and high school students in West Virginia.