Press
CU*Answers Network Services hosts community CAD camp technology training event
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (July 30, 2014) — CU*Answers Network Services, a leading provider of managed network services, today announced that in July it hosted a community Computer Aided Design (CAD) Camp for West Michigan-based FIRST Robotics teams. The three-day Camp was hosted at CU*Answers’ corporate headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI and was presented by Code Red Robotics instructors.
The objective of the Camp was to provide beginner computer aided design skills using PTC Creo commercial CAD software packages to assist in the design and manufacture of robots competing in FIRST events. The skills and techniques learned in the Camp are easily transferrable to other industries. Students were members of existing FIRST teams based in West Michigan, and ranged in age from middle school to high school.
“Hosting an event like CAD Camp is a natural fit for CU*Answers as many of our employees are already involved in volunteer organizations like FIRST,” explains David Wordhouse, VP of Network Technologies. “Credit unions are community organizations, as are most FIRST Robotics teams; so it only makes sense to work together to improve our communities. Working with these students is literally an investment in our collective futures.”
“We’re very grateful for our partnership with CU*Answers,” explains Ken Orzechowski, head coach of Code Red Robotics and board member of the Michigan FIRST organization. “The technical skills learned in these camps are in use in manufacturing, architecture, IT, data processing, and others. These students definitely are getting a leg up for college and entering the work force down the road.”
The Camp was offered to students at no charge. CU*Answers regularly hosts various community events including credit union board meetings, annual membership events, technology training camps, user groups, and other events.
About CU*Answers, Inc.
CU*Answers offers expertise in implementing technical solutions to operational needs, and is a leader in helping credit unions form strategic alliances and partnerships. CU*Answers provides a wide variety of services for credit unions including its flagship CU*BASE® processing system (online and in-house) and Internet development services featuring It’s Me 247 online and mobile banking. Additional services include web development, network design and security, and image check processing. Founded 40+ years ago, CU*Answers is a 100% credit union-owned cooperative CUSO providing services to credit unions representing nearly 1.5 million members and $12.6 billion in credit union assets. For more information, visit www.cuanswers.com.
About Code Red Robotics
Code Red Robotics is a FIRST Robotics team based in West Michigan whose mission is to shape students into problem solvers, innovators, and self-starters by competing in the FIRST Robotics Competitions.
Code Red is a community team representing 13 different high schools sponsored by Grand River Preparatory High School, but including students from other area high schools. Code Red seeks to extend the opportunity to participate in robotics to students in the community. For more information, email info@coderedrobotics.com
About FIRST Robotics
FIRST (For inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics is a youth oriented organization that is focused on the growth of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics industries of the world. The goal of FIRST is to interest students of all ages in engineering and math, and to help them discover themselves and become the leaders of tomorrow. Visithttp://www.usfirst.org for more information.