A new program from The University of Akron’s EX[L] Center for Entrepreneurship & Civic Engagement was highlighted by President Barack Obama at the White House Friday. Under the new “EXporting EX[L]” program, the University will provide training to educators and bring 3D printers, laser cutters and other ‘maker’ tools to the Akron Public Schools and local libraries starting this 2016-17 academic year.
President Obama singled out The University of Akron program and several others from around the nation as part of an ongoing effort to empower students and adults to create, innovate, tinker and make their ideas and solutions into reality, which is at the heart of the “Maker Movement.”
“It’s an incredible honor to have this University of Akron program among a handful of initiatives highlighted by the president as part of the National Week of Making,” said EX[L] Center Founding Director Jeff Hoffman prior to the White House event. “EXporting EX[L] will allow the University to invest in the growth and imagination of Akron children early, so at a young age they can become self-empowered at making their dreams come true.”
DETAILS
Whitehouse.gov: New commitments in support of the President’s Nation of Makers Initiative to kick off 2016 National Week of Making
Ohio.com: UA’s EXL program gets kudos from President Obama
The EXL Center at UA
UA’s EX[L] Center has been open for a little more than three months. Focused on experiential learning, it has involved UA and high school students, along with faculty and area entrepreneurs, in events ranging from seminars to hackathons.
Media contact: Dan Minnich, 330-972-6476 or dminnich@uakron.edu.
