What is another reason why I love Dyson? I love the products, but I love the person and all of the people behind the products. The thing that the James Dyson Foundation does to help out with our youth is truly inspirational. We should all learn from such positivity.
On March 7th the “Nerd Herd”, a robotics team of four young students from Brooklyn, won New York City’s FIRST Lego League Robotics Championship.
This win qualified them to compete in the Robotics World Festival in Atlanta next month—the only problem: raising the necessary $7,000 needed for the trip.
Through various fund-raising, including bake sales, the team was only able to raise about $2,700. This inspiring story caught the eye of British vacuum cleaner exec James Dyson who felt “these kids represent the future of engineering”.
On Friday, March 27th, the James Dyson Foundation, which supports design, technology and engineering education, presented the “Nerd Herd” with a check for $5,000 live on Good Day New York..
Building a robot at the age of twelve? Easy. Raising $7,000 at the age of twelve? Not so simple. Inspired by the students’ passion for engineering and robotics, the James Dyson Foundation (JDF) has offered to pay for four self-proclaimed “kings of the nerds” to take their prize-winning robot to the prestigious Robotics World Fest competition in Atlanta, Ga.
By saving their birthday money, studying up on engineering books and working up to 15 hours a week, Daniel Alvarez, 14, Gregory Chin, 12, Simon Shkreli, 12 and Benjamin Kelk, 12, recently took first place in the New York City FIRST Lego League Robotics Championship. To compete at the national level, the “Nerd Herd” will need $7,000, but despite hosting a bake sale and a school fundraiser, the team has only been able to raise less than half that amount.
In a show of solidarity with these brilliant young minds, the James Dyson Foundation (JDF) has offered to support the students in pursuing their engineering ambitions.
“I remember being that age and tinkering with everything I could get my hands on,” says James Dyson. “Breaking, mending and aiming to improve. These kids represent the future of engineering. They’re demonstrating the essential traits: an inventive spirit and a healthy dose of perseverance.”
“I wish the kids the best of luck at the national competition, and I look forward to hearing about their future successes,” said Dyson.
James Dyson established the JDF to encourage young people to think differently, make mistakes, invent and realize their engineering potential. As part of a global effort to support engineering students, the JDF offers numerous educational programs such as engineering workshops and in-class resources. The JDF also runs the James Dyson Award, an international design award to inspire the next generation of design engineers by celebrating their work and elevating them on a global platform. The 2009 global student design competition kicked-off this winter and encompasses 21 different nations.
The James Dyson Foundation Facts
- Established in November 2002
- Registered charity number 1099709
- Helps Design and Technology and Engineering students and teachers
- Supports charities working in the field of medical and scientific research
- Supports projects in the local community
- Total raised through Dyson previously:
Total raised for Breakthrough Breastcancer: £1.7 million
Total raised for the Meningitis Research Foundation: £1.5 million
As a parent, this foundation utterly impresses me! Thank you Mr. Dyson for creating such a powerful foundation!
What is James Dyson Foundation? The James Dyson Foundation, a registered charity, was founded in 2002 with the aim of supporting design, technology and engineering education, medical research charities and local community projects. The James Dyson Foundation works with schools and universities around the UK and internationally. For more information about the JDF’s ongoing support of the sciences, engineering, medicine and education, please visit them online at www.JamesDysonFoundation.com.
About Tanya
Thanks James Dyson for doing this for the NERD HERD. I love my Dyson. Actually it’s sitting right here beside me as I key this in. I need to get busy cleaning my house, but right now I thought I say “Thanks for helping our youth.”
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