Creating an Educational STEM Space for Workforce Development in Greenwood, Indiana
How Cummins Inc. Invested in Future Talent with STEM Education Works
Cummins Inc. partnered with Purdue IN‑MaC and STEM Education Works to create a K–12 Design and Innovation Studio that gives students hands‑on experience with the same kinds of tools used in advanced manufacturing and engineering. The studio brings together robotics, 3D printing, and coding with standards‑aligned curriculum and teacher training so local schools can connect classroom learning to real careers.
Robotics and coding tools that introduce students to modern automation and control systems
3D Printing and fabrication equipment that helps learners move from digital designs to physical prototypes
Integrated curriculum and professional development that make high‑tech lessons manageable for K–12 teachers
A Design and Innovation Studio for Tomorrow’s Workforce
Cummins Inc., a global power leader headquartered in Indiana, wanted to do more than sponsor one‑time events; the company wanted a tangible way to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. By partnering with Purdue IN‑MaC and STEM Education Works, Cummins helped launch a Design and Innovation Studio where K–12 students can build STEM skills year after year, rather than only during occasional visits. The studio now serves as a bridge between classroom math and science and the real tools used in modern manufacturing. For companies and education partners with similar workforce goals, this model shows how a single space can support long‑term, career‑connected learning.
Why Cummins Needed More Than One‑Off STEM Events
Before the studio launched, Cummins Inc. saw a growing gap between the skills modern manufacturing requires and those that many students gained in traditional classrooms. Local schools did not always have access to advanced tools such as robotics or 3D printers, and even when equipment was available, teachers often lacked the time, training, or curriculum support to use it effectively. Cummins Inc. needed a solution that would both inspire students and systematically build skills from elementary through high school, rather than relying on one‑off field trips or short‑term programs. The company wanted a way to invest in the “workforce of the future” that would still make a difference 10–15 years from now, when today’s students are ready for careers.
Key challenges:
- Creating a STEM experience that works for students from early elementary through high school, not just one age group
- Ensuring teachers felt supported with the curriculum and training needed to run high‑tech lessons
- Turning workforce concerns into a concrete, student‑facing solution rather than a short‑lived initiative
Designing the Studio Together: Cummins, IN‑MaC, and STEM Education Works
Cummins Inc. partnered with Purdue’s Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN‑MaC) and STEM Education Works to design a studio that would serve as both a showcase and a long‑term learning environment. Together, the partners focused on building a space that combined industry‑relevant tools with age‑appropriate curriculum and professional development, enabling educators to confidently guide students through hands‑on activities.
- Planning: Cummins, IN‑MaC, and STEM Education Works aligned on the goal of preparing the “workforce of the future” and defined a K–12 pathway that would support repeated visits and skill‑building over many years.
- Technology & Curriculum: The team selected robotics, 3D printing, and coding tools paired with standards‑aligned curriculum that scaffolds from introductory experiences in elementary school to more advanced applications in high school.
- Training & Support: STEM Education Works provided professional development and ongoing support so that teachers could learn to use the equipment, understand the curriculum, and feel ready to deliver meaningful, lab‑based STEM lessons.
Inside the Cummins Design and Innovation Studio
The result is the Cummins Inc. Design and Innovation Studio, a dedicated STEM environment where K–12 students experience robotics, 3D printing, and coding in ways that feel both engaging and authentic to modern industry. Classes visit the studio for field trips, projects, and camps, using real tools to design, build, and test ideas while connecting those activities back to what they are learning in school.
The space is intentionally structured so that a student might first visit in elementary school and then return several times over the years, deepening their skills and understanding each time. For Cummins, the studio transforms abstract workforce conversations into a tangible place where the next generation can see themselves as future engineers, technicians, and problem‑solvers.
From Ribbon Cutting to Long‑Term Talent Development
Since opening, the Design and Innovation Studio has given Cummins a concrete way to invest in local talent by reaching students early and often. Instead of a single ribbon‑cutting moment, the studio is built to host repeated K–12 experiences that steadily grow students’ interest in and understanding of STEM. Teachers gain a partner in delivering high‑tech lessons, while students gain a clearer picture of how math, science, and problem‑solving show up in real workplaces. For Cummins, this is the starting point for a stronger regional talent pipeline and a more informed future workforce.
“This is where you start when you want young people ready for the jobs of tomorrow – by giving them hands‑on experiences with STEM from kindergarten through high school.”
Cummins Inc. 360 Studio Tour
Education Solutions
Out of School Solutions
Explore some of the technologies used in this lab.
We want you to succeed with our technology and curriculum. That’s why we go above and beyond to become your STEM partner. We will help you every step of the way. Our one-on-one consultations and professional development resources make getting started a breeze.
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- 2880 Old US Highway 231 S
Lafayette, IN 47909