The Tennessee Valley Chapter of the National Defense Industry Association leads the way as the first 2024 summer education program sponsor and continues its decade of support for HudsonAlpha’s STEM programming

As the United States’ national defense industry grows, so does the need for a skilled and educated STEM workforce. This is especially important in North Alabama, the home of Redstone Arsenal, which includes the U.S. Army, NASA, the Missile Defense Agency, the FBI, and many more operations that are crucial to our national security and defense. 

North Alabama is also the home of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. The Institute’s mission is focused on scientific advancement through the study of genomics, boosting economic impact in biotechnology, and providing educational programming to cultivate the next generation of the STEM workforce. 

STEM student experiences, such as field trips, summer camps, and after-school programs, significantly boost young people’s interest in STEM careers, while also growing confidence in their abilities to be successful in STEM and boosting their STEM identity. 

Supporting programs such as the ones offered by HudsonAlpha’s Educational Outreach team has always been a priority for the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA). Over the last ten years, NDIA has given more than $40,000 to support HudsonAlpha’s educational programs.

“The defense industry relies on people who work in all areas of STEM,” said Billy Warner, NDIA Education Director. “Companies in this industry have a bigger, more diverse, and more educated pool to choose from when we invest in valuable educational opportunities such as the ones offered by HudsonAlpha.”

With NDIA’s most recent gift, the organization has become the first Summer of STEM Sponsor of the Institute’s catalog of summer experiences. Ranging from summer camps to internships, these programs offer hands-on learning opportunities and genomic research experiences to middle and high school students, as well as undergraduates.

“Training the scientists and engineers of the future is incredibly important, no matter what field they go into,” said Warner. “Our hope is for students to be exposed to as many facets of STEM as possible, so they can find content that is inspiring to them and drives them towards their future career. Using our philanthropic dollars to support this mission is a priority for us.”

“We are aiming to build for the future through education,” said Sandy Edwards, NDIA Board Treasurer. “The key is to get students excited about science and help them picture themselves in a fulfilling STEM career.”

Summer of STEM sponsorships at HudsonAlpha are a powerful way to demonstrate your commitment to our community’s future. As a nonprofit organization, HudsonAlpha relies on philanthropic support to help make STEM opportunities available to area students.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can join NDIA in becoming a Summer of STEM Sponsor at HudsonAlpha, please contact Elizabeth Herrin, Senior Director of Advancement, at eherrin@hudsonalpha.org.