Sponsor Spotlight: Grainger
At the National Inventors Hall of Fame®, our mission is to recognize inventors, promote creativity, and advance the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. To carry out this mission, our national nonprofit relies on the generous support of partners like W.W. Grainger Inc.
Founded in 1927, Grainger is a leading broad line distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom. The company fulfills its purpose — We Keep the World Working® — not only by providing more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with the MRO products and services they need to keep their operations running and their people safe, but also by investing in meaningful opportunities to strengthen the emerging workforce.
Read on to learn how Grainger is shaping the future through its support for National Inventors Hall of Fame education programs.
Investing in Invention Education
“Grainger strives to empower local communities through programs that foster long-term resiliency, growth and upward mobility,” said Tom Richey, Grainger’s senior manager of community impact. “We are proud to sponsor Camp Invention® and partner in helping children learn in both small and large communities across the U.S.”
The National Inventors Hall of Fame’s flagship education program, Camp Invention, reaches children in grades K-6 in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Since 1990, this hands-on program has delivered one-of-a-kind experiences that are directly inspired and influenced by Hall of Fame Inductees. As program participants create their own solutions to real-world problems, they build the I Can Invent® Mindset – the same mindset our Inductees have used to change the world.
Grainger’s support ensures that more children can take part in these powerful learning opportunities. “The National Inventors Hall of Fame knows how important it is for children to learn at a young age that they can be lifelong inventors. The problem-solving and critical-thinking skills developed through the Hall of Fame’s education programs are vital to their success in school and later in the workforce,” Richey explained. “Grainger is committed to strengthening the emerging workforce, and a big part of that is equipping people to become lifelong learners who can continue to evolve and transition as industries advance and change.”
Grainger values how each National Inventors Hall of Fame education program allows children to explore, experiment and build confidence in safe, encouraging learning environments, because this is essential for fostering perseverance and resilience, as well as “adventurous spirits and curious minds.”
Actively Guiding the Next Generation
Not only does Grainger provide funding to support children’s access to Camp Invention programs, but some members of the Grainger team have even been personally involved in their local camp programs.
“Our team members love volunteering with the National Inventors Hall of Fame,” Richey said. “We also currently have a few team members who have had their children participate in Camp Invention. They raved about the experiences they and their children had using their imagination and science to create their own inventions.”
The Grainger team understands that one reason the Camp Invention program has proven so effective in helping children become confident, creative problem solvers is that the program introduces them to extraordinary role models, from the Hall of Fame Inductees who are involved in developing the curricula to the dedicated educators who lead each local program.
As children build science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and learn the lessons and stories of Inductees, they see that everyone has the potential to create, innovate and make the world a better place.
“If you see it, you can be it,” Richey explained. “We all need relatable role models to show us the opportunities and possibilities. I’m proud that Grainger team members have had the opportunity to serve as role models for students in National Inventors Hall of Fame education programs.”
Thank You, Grainger
Everyone at the National Inventors Hall of Fame is grateful for Grainger’s partnership and support in providing transformative opportunities to the young creators and innovators who will lead tomorrow’s workforce.
Visit Grainger’s website to learn more about how this innovative company invests in the future.