American Water award to boost RCBI’s annual Makes Festival

10th anniversary event set for Oct. 6 in Huntington

Marshall University’s Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) has announced Oct. 6, 2023, as the date for the 10th annual West Virginia Makes Festival, the state and region’s largest maker fair, which officials say will be bigger and better than ever thanks to a sizeable STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation.

The Foundation, the charitable arm of American Water, parent company of West Virginia American Water, has awarded $14,000 to the Marshall University Foundation to support RCBI’s annual community-based event that promotes innovative West Virginia-based STEM entrepreneurship. “Our future leaders in West Virginia are significantly better off and will be more prepared for their careers with strong STEM skills thanks to access to the outstanding programming provided by community partners such as RCBI,” said Robert Burton, president of West Virginia American Water.

“Thanks to the tremendous generosity of the American Water Charitable Foundation, people of all ages will have the opportunity to demonstrate their creations and ingenuity, engage in hands-on STEM activities and revel in the joys of discovery during the 2023 West Virginia Makes Festival – our 10th anniversary – set for Oct. 6 on the campus of Marshall University,” said Derek Scarbro, RCBI deputy director. “This support is another example of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s and West Virginia American Water’s commitment to strengthening our communities by investing in those they serve.”

The annual Makes Festival attracts hundreds of students and innovators of all ages from across the region, providing them the opportunity to demonstrate their own creations, compete for prizes, and engage in STEM-focused activities during the annual celebration of creativity and ingenuity in all forms.

Registration is now open for makers of all ages, exhibitors and groups that want to attend the free event this fall. Details at www.mfg.marshall.edu/wvmf23.

March 27, 2023

Other News

View All News

Industry professionals join MAMC workforce team

The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) has added two instructors to its expanding career skills training programs. Layden Mantle of Huntington has joined MAMC as advanced manufacturing industrial instructor. He is helping curriculum for the new SMART...

read more

MAMC recognized for putting people to work

For its expansive workforce development initiatives, the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center has been honored with the Putting People to Work Award, one of the Power of Performance Awards presented during the annual Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference in...

read more

MAMC drone donations provide students a lift

The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) again has awarded drone kits to student groups across West Virginia to increase the number of youths – particularly girls – engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities. More than 1,260 young...

read more

Haas Foundation funds scholarships at MAMC

The Gene Haas Foundation has awarded the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) $18,000 to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing careers through MAMC’s Machinist Technology/CNC Program. The career skills program, offered in partnership with Mountwest...

read more