Bill Parks
President, Deltrol Fluid Products
2011-12 Chairman, NFPA Education and Technology Foundation

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation continues to introduce more students to fluid power through important programs that support research and education at a growing number of schools and institutions. With the generous support of NFPA members (more than a third of our member companies have elected to make a contribution to the Foundation with their annual membership dues), we have made tremendous progress funding new and existing Foundation programs over the past 12 months.

As part of our 2010-11 Annual Report, we have included a snapshot of the Foundation's projects and ways to get involved. Our 2010-11 financial summary can be accessed by clicking here.

There are three highlights I would especially like to share with you:

• A new major research grant has been awarded to Iowa State University for a project entitled "Dielectric Spectroscopic Sensor Development for Hydraulic Fluid Contaminant Detection." The project is focused on developing a new approach for low-cost, real-time sensors in a fluid power system, and an Industrial Advisory Panel is being formed to help direct the activity.
• A new program has been launched to establish and maintain fluid power laboratories at educational institutions. Teaching laboratories are one of the primary ways students are exposed to and get experience with fluid power, and those institutions with well funded and equipped laboratories graduate more fluid power-trained engineers. We are currently seeking pledges of financial and material support and hope to make our first award in 2012.
• A new Fluid Power Challenge Grant Program has been established to help teachers introduce hydraulics and pneumatics to middle and high school students. Grants will defray the cost of classroom exercise and event kits, putting fluid power in the hands of many more young people. Hosting Challenge events is a great way for NFPA members to showcase career opportunities in our industry and develop local workforce development pipelines for their businesses.

There is still time to join the growing base of NFPA members that are driving the future of our industry through their support and participation of our Foundation. Donations are fully deductible as charitable contributions and, with the Foundation's low overhead costs, your gift will go towards effective programs such as those described here. Please consider helping the Foundation realize successful initiatives and programs and be instrumental in advancing the fluid power industry. Click here to donate.

I would like to thank the 2010-11 NFPA Education & Technology Foundation Board of Directors and the NFPA Supplier Council. Through their dedicated and collective efforts, we continued to build a solid platform to support the activities of our Foundation and ensure a promising future for our industry and those we serve.