By Fort Valley State University,
The Chevron Corporation announced a major financial contribution in support of two long-standing community partners, Fab Foundation and Fort Valley State University (FVSU), to create a digital fabrication lab for the middle Georgia community.
Fab labs are designed to foster innovation, learning and invention: a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor and to invent. Fab labs, with their suite of digital fabrication tools and prototyping machines — including laser cutters, 3-D printers, vinyl cutters and milling machines — are inspiring young people across the United States, to learn about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
“Working with leading education organizations such as The Fab Foundation and Fort Valley State University, we have a tremendous opportunity to support students, teachers and the middle Georgia community to advance their learning and innovation experience through digital fabrication and prototyping,” said Melissa Rosenblatt, Chevron Social Investment Manager. “This collaborative partnership is part of our $15 million racial equity commitment that will also provide career and technical training that can lead to well-paying jobs for young people of every race, gender and socioeconomic status.”
“The Fab Foundation has partnered with Chevron since 2014 and launched fab labs across the United States to support STEM education,” said Sonya Pryor-Jones, Fab Foundation Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer. “We are excited to continue this partnership and support Chevron’s HBCU Social Equity project. This new project will expand our work together with the intention to provide access to advanced technologies and create more equity in STEM. We hope to complement the rich history and commitment of HBCUs to serve the educational needs of Black Americans and, together accelerate opportunities for African American students in STEM and digital fabrication.”
“Fort Valley State University is proud of its 30-year partnership with Chevron through its Cooperative Development Energy Program,” said Dr. Paul Jones, Fort Valley State University President. “This expanded partnership will allow us to build on this relationship and to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEM education in the middle Georgia community.”
Chevron-supported fab labs include facilities in: Bakersfield, Richmond and Santa Clara, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Houston and Odessa/Midland, Texas; and Washington, D.C.. These labs have served more than 50,000 people so far.
