Shepherds of the Nerd Herd
Shepherds of the Nerd Herd
Guiding the Next Generation of Innovators
Keeping innovation alive isn't just a lofty ideal; it depends entirely on inspiring the next generation of builders, coders, and makers.
Passing down expertise to inquisitive minds is how industries survive and evolve. That is precisely why hosting young tech enthusiasts and opening doors to real-world manufacturing matters so much.
Behind the Scenes of Professional Additive Manufacturing
Back in 2017, an award-winning local robotics team—the NASA-sponsored Nerd Herd—visited for an exclusive look inside a commercial SLS 3D printing facility. During the tour, team members explored modern industrial additive manufacturing firsthand, gaining valuable context on how raw design concepts translate into flight-ready production parts.
Taking on the Oregon FIRST Robotics Challenge
That same year, the Nerd Herd brought their skills to the Oregon FIRST Robotics competition. This intense, multinational event tasks high school students with designing, building, and programming custom robots from scratch. Panel judges evaluate every entry on raw mechanical performance, overall design strategy, and real-time team collaboration.
Igniting STEM Careers Through Hands-On Experience
Programs like FIRST Robotics stretch young engineers far beyond textbook theory. Facing tough competition builds resilience, sparks creative problem-solving, and drives students to pursue long-term careers in science and engineering. Watching these dedicated teams build, test, and adapt offers a genuine glimpse into the future of high-tech manufacturing.
Empowering Students in Robotics
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STEM Education
Proof That Math and Science Are Actually Cool. Forget dry textbooks and mindless memorization. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education throws students straight into hands-on, real-world problem-solving. It gives curious minds the exact tools, technical chops, and practical experience they need to build cool stuff and lead tomorrow’s tech revolution.
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Nerd Herd Robotics
High Schoolers Building Combat-Ready Heavy Metal. Jumping headfirst into high-stakes regional and national competitions, these future engineers sharpen their technical skills under real pressure—and have a blast doing it.
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Oregon FIRST Robotics
The Ultimate Testing Ground for Tomorrow's Tech Leaders. Think of Oregon FIRST Robotics as March Madness, but with custom-built robots and way more code. This high-energy program pairs local high school teams with industry mentors to construct, program, and battle custom machines. It pushes students far past standard classroom theory, instilling real-world engineering skills, battle-tested resilience, and serious teamwork along the way
Share Your Next Project
Have a unique 3D printing project or story to tell? Reach out to our engineering team today to share your experience, ask a technical question, or upload a CAD file to get a project quote started.