RIDGID held its annual “We Love STEM Day” in June for 60 local students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The day-long event, held at RIDGID global headquarters in Elyria, Ohio, let students experience the real-world role science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) plays in manufacturing.

Students participated in a variety of hands-on activities, including making straw airplanes, rubber band powered cars, electroscopes and mini speakers. Each activity allowed students to learn about the importance of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, renewable energy and natural resources in manufacturing.

“STEM learning is a bit like solving a puzzle – you have the pieces and then it's up to you to figure out how they go together. I think that challenge, combined with the opportunity to bring their ideas to the project, is what makes STEM learning so fun for students and why our groups get larger each year,” said Stacey Varuolo, event chair and chapter lead, RIDGID Women’s Impact Network for Emerson. “Our team loves getting to spend the day with the students and connect their projects with what we do in manufacturing.”

RIDGID is a proud supporter of local programs and education-based initiatives throughout Lorain County, including the Elyria school makerspaces that reinforce STEM learning. The company also partners with current and future trade professionals and regularly invests and donates products. For years, its leaders have served on industry boards to help strengthen the trades.

Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit Emerson's website for more information.