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Affiliated Partners

The National Fluid Power Association, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) are affiliated members of the CCEFP network. Since the Center’s inception, these organizations have worked together with the CCEFP in reaching out to many audiences with a message about fluid power: what it is, where it is used, how the Center’s research is transforming hydraulic and pneumatic technology and its applications, and why it is a compelling field for new generations of engineers and technicians.

National Fluid Power Association

NFPA_RGB_web_logo_Sized.jpgNational Fluid Power Association (NFPA) is a forum for all stakeholders in fluid power —manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, customers and educators. The more than 325 corporate and institutional members of this trade association share in a mission to advance fluid power technology, strengthen the industry and foster members' success. NFPA and many of its members support the CCEFP financially and the association contributes further by utilizing its many communication channels to reach audiences around the world with reports of the Center and its work. (www.nfpa.com)

Project Lead The Way

2008-PLTW-logo_sized.jpgProject Lead The Way (PLTW) is a national, 501 c3, not-for-profit program that now reaches into 3,000 schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Through its hands-on, project-based curricula, this program helps give middle and high schools students the background they need to develop a strong foundation for the study of science and engineering. The CCEFP, NFPA and PLTW work toward this goal in a unique three-way partnership. NFPA provides funding in PLTW’s efforts to include fluid power in several of its high school and middle school curriculum modules. Faculty from the CCEFP and members of NFPA serve as subject matter experts for PLTW, reviewing and suggesting curriculum relevant to fluid power, providing resources for PLTW’s Virtual Academy, and contributing to PLTW’s teacher training institutes. (www.pltw.org)

The Science Museum of Minnesota

SMMLogoColor_sized.jpgThe Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) is a large regional science museum located on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul. The Science Museum's programs combine research and collection facilities, a public science education center, extensive teacher education and school outreach programs, and an Imax Convertible Dome Omnitheater to provide science education to its million+ visitors each year. Through the museum’s interactive exhibits illustrating fluid power attributes and Center research, as well as through the outreach of its Fluid Power Youth Science Team, the SMM is an effective partner in helping the CCEFP reach audiences outside the university and school communities. (www.smm.org)