Tag: Tom Meeks

VIDEO: YouthQuest’s 3D Printing Project Expands

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Tom Meeks teaches YouthQuest's first 3D printing class at Freestate ChalleNGe Academy
Tom Meeks teaches YouthQuest’s first 3D printing class at Freestate ChalleNGe Academy

The YouthQuest Foundation’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education initiative is growing to include more students and new tools in 3D printing classes.

We launched the project early this year at Maryland’s Freestate ChalleNGe Academy, an alternative education program for at-risk youth that is run by the National Guard at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Now we are expanding to the newly opened Capital Guardian ChalleNGe Academy, which serves young people from the District of Columbia at the Oak Hill Campus in Laurel, Md.

Next year, we plan to bring the program to students in several other states.

YouthQuest and the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program share the goal of giving high school dropouts a second chance to become productive citizens through education, self-disciple and mentoring. The 3D printing project is a unique supplement to the academy Cadets’ basic GED-preparation coursework. The class teaches at-risk teenagers valuable life lessons, along with vocational skills.

Learning the basics of 3D printing, also known as “additive manufacturing,” can give these students an advantage if they choose to pursue careers in related fields. But even more important, says YouthQuest’s Training Director Tom Meeks, is how the class teaches them to think creatively and solve problems through teamwork, experimentation and iterative improvement.

The Cadets in the Freestate and Capital Guardian programs will use Moment of Inspiration modeling software contributed by Triple Squid Software Design and Cube printers provided by 3D Systems, our Additive Manufacturing Strategic Partner. This hardware and software was a winning combination in our pilot project at Freestate.

In addition, we are introducing Cubify Sculpt, a just-released application from 3D Systems that allows users to easily modify objects as if they were made of “virtual clay” to produce more natural looking shapes. The two software programs complement each other and open up new possibilities for students and teachers.

“Moment of Inspiration will create the objects and then we’ll bring those objects into Cubify Sculpt to embellish them and give them more organic feel,” says Tom. “I think those artistic Cadets are really going to be excited about that possibility.”

“I’m really looking forward to the fact that we’re expanding to two ChalleNGe programs and then in the next step expanding to multiple ChalleNGe programs around the country,” he adds.

Tom did an outstanding job teaching the first 3D printing class at Freestate Academy, but he can’t be in two places at once. So we are producing a series of instructional videos for the teachers he’ll be working with at the academies. The videos will be available for free online so any teacher in the world can learn how to use 3D printing to develop students’ creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Tom is confident that teachers will be excited about 3D printing, students will be “highly motivated” and YouthQuest will be “very pleased with the outcome in the lives of these Cadets.”

If you would like to make a contribution to help cover the costs of providing this life-changing opportunity for at-risk teens, just CLICK HERE or contact us at info@youthquestfoundation.org or (703) 234-4633.

YouthQuest’s Charity Golf Tournament Was Biggest and Best Yet

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Brad Denton performs at YouthQuest's 2013 Challenge at Trump National Golf Course
The amazing Brad Denton

“It was a grand day for America’s at-risk youth,” says YouthQuest Foundation Co-Founder and President Lynda Mann.

The 8th Annual Challenge at Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Va., on Aug. 12 was YouthQuest’s most successful fundraiser ever.

“The weather was great, the event was great, people really enjoyed themselves,” says Lynda.

After watching a trick-shot performance by the always-entertaining Brad Denton, 115 golfers headed out for a shotgun start on Trump’s challenging Championship Course.

“It was the largest field of golfers we’ve ever had and there were more new sponsors than in previous years,” says YouthQuest Secretary Bill Hall.

Loudoun Hounds mascot Fetch at YouthQuest's 2013 Challenge at Trump National Golf Club
Fetch makes his tournament debut

One sign of the growing community support for our tournament was the presence of Fetch, the big, floppy-eared mascot for the Loudoun Hounds baseball team of the independent Atlantic League. While Fetch and his handlers from the Hounds greeted players on the 1st tee, representatives from the North American Soccer League’s Virginia Cavalry FC manned the 18th. This is the first year we’ve had the Hounds and Cavalry as tournament sponsors.

Both teams are part of VIP Sports & Entertainment, whose vice chairman is Joe Travez, a valued partner in our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education initiative. He’s the CEO of Prototype Productions, Inc. in Ashburn, which hosted a tour in June for the students in our first 3D printing class. Mr. Travez’s message to the teens from Maryland’s Freestate ChalleNGe Academy during their visit was inspirational and we hope to make PPI an integral part of our expanded STEM program.

The money raised through the golf tournament helps us provide academic and vocational development, infrastructure support and life-enriching experiences that give troubled teens the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Thanks to our supporters’ generous contributions, we will be able to reach many more students with our 3D printing project. We’ll also promote the growth of GRL-PWR, the girls’ empowerment program that came to our attention through our sponsorship of the Loudoun Youth Step Up competition.

Bill, who chairs the golf tournament committee, says what our guests learn about YouthQuest during the event makes a strong impression. He recalls one player from Hewlett-Packard telling him: “This is the kind of stuff we need to be supporting. This I can see makes a difference.”

Besides contributing to a good cause, players come back year after year because “it’s just a fun tournament,” says Lynda.

Washington Redskins alumni Mike Nelms, Roy Jefferson and Mike Bragg sign a football for Destination Cellars CEO David Keuhner and his son Jaden
Washington Redskins alumni Mike Nelms, Roy Jefferson and Mike Bragg sign a football for Destination Cellars CEO David Keuhner and his son, Jaden.

“The celebrities are always a big hit,” adds Bill. “One guy said ‘I’m a great Redskins fan, so try to put a Redskin with me,’ which we did.”

The Washington Redskins alumni are perennial favorites. Executive Director Jerry Olsen, Charley Taylor, Jimmie Jones, Mike Nelms, Roy Jefferson, Mike Bragg and Ravin Caldwell were on this year’s tournament roster.

Adding some sports diversity to the field of golfers, we also welcomed former Major League Baseball pitcher Pete Schourek, along with retired Major League Soccer goalkeepers Mike Ammann and Mark Simpson. Both used to play for DC United and Mark is now director of soccer operations for the Cavalry.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Pete Schourek at YouthQuest's 2013 Challenge at Trump National Golf Course
Pete Schourek in action

We were also honored to have Fairfax City Chief Dave Rohr playing again this year, in addition to other local first responders. Representing Fairfax County Fire & Rescue were Deputy Chief Michael Reilly, retired Deputy Chief Glenn Benarick and retired firefighters Rand Gaber and Oliver Skinker.

After a sun-and-fun-filled day on the course, everyone cooled off at a reception and awards ceremony at the Trump National clubhouse.

Our Director of Training and Volunteer of the Year, Tom Meeks, demonstrated 3D printing and GRL-PWR Co-Founder Royal Phillips spoke about our partnership.

3D Systems Director of Social Impact Leanne Gluck accepted our Additive Manufacturing Strategic Partner Award. The company’s support has been essential in the development of our 3D printing project.  It provided the hardware the students use and hosted a tour of the plant where the Cube 3D printers are built.

Community Partner Awards went to the NFL Players Association and Washington Redskins Chapter of NFL Alumni, Inc., along with Michael Garcia, operating partner of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in McLean, Va., which hosted the tournament’s VIP reception on Aug. 8. Ritzert & Leyton, PC sponsored the VIP reception at Fleming’s.

Loudoun Youth's Jared Melvin putts as Lynda Mann and Redskins great Roy Jefferson watch at YouthQuest's 2013 Challenge at Trump National Golf Club
Loudoun Youth CEO Jared Melvin putts on the 1st green as Lynda Mann and Roy Jefferson watch.

The Foundation also awarded grants to Luke’s Wings and Loudoun Youth’s Step Up.

Luke’s Wings is a nonprofit organization that provides flights for families to visit wounded American servicemembers who are hospitalized or in rehabilitation. YouthQuest understands that separation can be a serious risk factor for children in military families, especially in times of crisis. By bringing families together, Luke’s Wings helps reduce the risks for kids.

The Step Up contest challenges Loudoun County middle and high school students to become leaders by identifying problems in their communities and developing solutions. YouthQuest is pleased to renew its sponsorship of the competition.

The Trump National staff deserves an award, too, for their quick response to anything we needed. All of our tournament participants were treated to a first-class experience.

“We love having our event at Trump because their staff makes us look really good,” says Lynda. “They just make it happen.”

There’s just one thing that would make our signature fundraising event better, says Lynda. That is if Donald Trump’s busy schedule allows him to accept our invitation to play in the 9th Annual Challenge at Trump National on Aug. 11, 2014.

We hope to see you there, too.

Why 3D Printing Is a Great Teaching Tool for At-Risk Youth

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Instructor Tom Meeks with Cadet Oscar Gonzales in YouthQuest's 3D printing class at Freestate ChallenNGe Academy
Tom Meeks works with Cadet Oscar Gonzales in YouthQuest’s 3D printing class at Freestate ChallenNGe Academy.

We launched our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) project to teach 3D printing because it supports The YouthQuest Foundation’s goal of providing vocational training for at-risk youth. What we didn’t realize when we started the program is that 3D printing also teaches these teens the life skills they need to succeed.

“3D printing is not an end in itself. It’s a means to an end, and that end is to grow our brains,” explains YouthQuest Volunteer of the Year Tom Meeks, who taught the class at Freestate ChalleNGe Academy.

The former junior high school teacher is passionate about 3D printing. As soon as he heard about our plan for the project, he says, he knew he wanted to be involved because it “offered a way to encourage students to be more creative — to learn about thinking.”

“When we learn how to think and we learn how to be creative and use our brains in different ways than we normally use them, then we can use that in any part of our lives,” Tom says.

That’s the lesson we learned from the eight Freestate ChalleNGe Academy Cadets who recently completed our first 3D printing class at Maryland’s Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Learning Through Failure

“It’s not about making cheap plastic parts. That’s the first thing I tell people about 3D printing,” says Tom. “It’s about being able to come up with a vision and then realize that vision in some concrete way.”

“And the most important part of that process is learning to fail.”

Cadet Nancy Tapia-Loza assembles parts she designed and fabricated in 3D printing class
Cadet Nancy Tapia-Loza assembles parts she designed and printed to make a model of a mechanical arm.

The Cadets in the STEM project were all too familiar with failure. They were at the Freestate Academy, which is part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, because they’d made the mistake of giving up on school. Besides the general lack of motivation that’s typical in adolescents, these kids were in trouble because of substance abuse, pregnancy and many of the other problems that are common for at-risk youth. The Academy was, as Tom puts it, “their last chance.”

Although the cadets were “extremely excited” about being chosen from among more than 100 classmates to take part in the project, says Tom, they were “afraid to fail.” They had failed often in the past – and had given up.

“In 3D printing, what they learned was it’s OK to fail as long as you see that failure as a way to make changes and go on to success. And that’s what they did over and over again,” Tom explains with a smile.

“They didn’t gripe about the failure. They looked at it, they analyzed it and then they learned how to make corrections in the design so that the next thing they printed was going to be closer to what they envisioned.”

Life-Changing Lessons

A few weeks ago, as they prepared to graduate from Freestate, the students met with Tom to talk about what they’d learned in the 3D printing class.

“Every one of them said that it changed their life in some way,” he recalls, “It changed their attitude toward life, the way they looked at life, the way they were going to go forward and meet challenges in the future. Every one of them.”

The class changed Tom’s life, too. In fact, he calls it the highlight of his career.

“It was so neat to see the changes that were happening in their lives and the enthusiasm that was happening in their lives. It was just emotionally uplifting for me in a big way,” Tom says. “So it didn’t matter how far I traveled. It didn’t matter that I was losing some money at work. What mattered was I’m a part of something really important in the lives of these kids. I expect to see big changes in their future because of this one class and all the other things that the ChalleNGe Academy does.”

VIDEO: Congratulations to Students in Our 3D Printing Program

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Freestate Challenge Academy Cadets 3D Printing Class awards
Cadets from YouthQuest's 3D printing project at Freestate Challenge Academy received certificates and tablet computers at an awards ceremony June 11.

Eight Freestate ChalleNGe Academy Cadets who participated in the first 3D printing class sponsored by The YouthQuest Foundation were honored at an awards ceremony on June 11.

The students in this STEM project for at-risk youth spent 30 hours learning to design and fabricate objects using Moment of Inspiration modeling software and CUBE 3D printers.

The program at Maryland’s Aberdeen Proving Ground developed problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, along with providing practical, hands-on experience that will give these teens an advantage if they choose to pursue a career in the rapidly growing field of additive manufacturing.

Seeing 3D Printing in Action Is an Eye-Opener for At-Risk Youth

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[Show picture list]
“Your mind can go farther than you think.”

That’s the lesson Cadet Adonis Gonzales said he learned by taking part in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) project for at-risk youth sponsored by The YouthQuest Foundation.

Gonzales and seven other Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy Cadets spent five months learning about the cutting-edge technology of 3D printing in classes led by YouthQuest volunteer Tom Meeks. They used Moment of Inspiration modeling software donated by Triple Squid Software Design and CUBE printers given by 3D Systems in their training at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

On June 6, the Cadets visited Northern Virginia to see how businesses use 3D printing.

The first stop was Prototype Productions, Inc. in Ashburn, where designers and engineers showed how the company creates a variety of products, including military gear and medical devices. The Cadets were especially impressed to hear CEO Joe Travez describe how he and his brother started the business in their garage two decades ago with just $500, a dream and a supportive family.

Next, the Cadets toured the 3D Systems facility in Herndon where the CUBE printers they used in class were made. They marveled at the sight of shelves filled with printers being tested at the end of the assembly line – each machine fabricating a small plastic shoe, layer by layer.

It was clear from the questions they asked during their tours that the students were making connections between what they had done in class and what the employees at PPI and 3D Systems do on the job. Besides getting a taste of 3D printing on an industrial scale, the Cadets saw the importance of creativity, collaboration and perseverance in the workplace.

According to Cadet Joshua Wilcox, the field trip “opened my eyes” to the job opportunities related to 3D printing.

Cadet Nancy Tapia-Loza had been considering a federal law enforcement career, but she said she changed her mind and now wants to explore engineering because of her experience in the 3D printing class.

During a recognition luncheon for the Cadets, YouthQuest President Lynda Mann announced that their instructor, Tom Meeks, had been chosen as the Foundation’s Volunteer of the Year.

The YouthQuest Foundation is a tax-exempt nonprofit that raises funds to provide academic and vocational development, as well as life-enriching experiences, for America’s at-risk youth.

The Freestate Academy is part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. Its mission is to reclaim the lives of high school dropouts by giving them the education, life skills, values and self-discipline they need to become productive citizens.

VIDEO: Dropouts Gain 3D Printing Skills in YouthQuest’s Fab Lab Program

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Freestate Challenge Academy cadets Moment of Inspiration 3D printing software YouthQuest Fab Lab.
Cadets Vela, left, and Lewter use Moment of Inspiration modeling software to design a part for a 3D printing project.

Cadets at the Freestate ChalleNGe Academy are the first to take part in our Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) program.

The pilot project at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland introduces at-risk youth to the cutting-edge technology of additive manufacturing.

The Fab Lab program is sponsored by The YouthQuest Foundation and its strategic partners; 3D Systems, which provided the Cube 3D printers, and Triple Squid Software Design, which donated the Moment of Inspiration 3D modeling software. The class instructor is YouthQuest volunteer Tom Meeks.

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