Pearson Packaging Systems Supports Saint George’s School Robotics Program
Need:
Pearson Packaging Systems was looking for ways to support local educational institutions – like Saint George’s – while continuing to bring visibility to careers within packaging and processing.
Action:
Pearson and PMMI partnered to provide Saint George’s K-12 school robotics program with a matching fund donation through the PMMI U Skills Fund.
The Saint George’s program supports comprehensive student engagement beginning in third grade with a Lego Robotics League, transitioning into a middle school First Tech Challenge, and culminating in Team 1595 of the high school FIRST Robotics Challenge. Through the generous matching support of PMMI, the school and students have become quite accomplished in robotics. They have progressed to the Einstein Round at the World Championships in 2017. This year, following two years of pandemic related competition cancellations, the team placed fifth at the Pacific Northwest District Championships, nearly making it again to the World Championships.
Result:
It is inspiring to see the excitement when the robotics class and team visits the Pearson facility. They begin to envision a future in the packaging and processing industry. Pearson and Saint George’s School will continue to invest in their future workforce through ongoing development of these programs and relationships.
What Can You Do:
The PMMI U Skills Fund supported Pearson’s initiative, and any PMMI member can have these types of results for your local schools. Created by PMMI, the PMMI U Skills Fund is a resource intended to help you form meaningful partnerships with regional two- to four-year colleges, universities, and/or technical/vocational schools, as well as other educational programs in your area. The PMMI U Skills Fund will match your company’s contributions up to $50,000 per year to fund regional education programs of your choice. Whether you partner with a school to help strengthen an industry-related program, join forces with a STEM summer camp, coordinate a group of students to bring to PACK EXPO, or choose to invest in the future workforce in multiple ways throughout the year, the PMMI U Skills Fund is here to assist you with the financial obligations that come from these types of initiatives. For more information and to apply, contact Kate Fiorianti, senior manager, workforce development, PMMI at kate@pmmi.org or 571.266.4406.
