Nissan: Nissan hosts Mississippi’s largest STEM/robotics competition at Canton plant

  • For the second year, the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant partners with Mississippi Robotics to organize the event.
  • More than 200 students in grades 3 through 12 will take part in a series of STEM and robotics challenges designed to test their skills and nurture their interest in science.
  • Building Mississippi’s STEM workforce is critical for the future growth of the state’s advanced manufacturing sector.

CANTON, Miss. — On Saturday, Nissan partnered with Mississippi Robotics to host the second annual STEM/Robotics Competition at the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant. The full-day event was designed to engage students in grades 3 through 12 in activities that nurture their interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“When it comes to careers in STEM fields, people often think of places like Silicon Valley,” said Ray Holt, president and executive director of Mississippi Robotics, a nonprofit that advances STEM education in the state’s rural communities. “But thanks to advanced manufacturers like Nissan, opportunities in these professions keep growing right here in Mississippi. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Nissan this year and getting more Mississippi students excited about science and robotics.”

The STEM/Robotics Competition is the largest event of its kind in Mississippi. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 210 students – representing schools, clubs and outreach organizations from 19 cities across the state – participated in a series of challenges, including a speed race and an obstacle course with robots, science demonstrations, math competitions, a robotics troubleshooting challenge and driver-controlled robot sumo wrestling. Students competed in teams of two.

In addition to the competitions, the event featured a career fair to help students explore opportunities in the STEM fields beyond high school. Both employers and colleges, including two of Mississippi’s historically black colleges and universities, shared information about how participants can translate their interests and skills in science into a postsecondary degree and a career.

“At Nissan, having access to a highly-skilled workforce is essential for the success of our plant,” said Steve Marsh, vice president of manufacturing at Nissan Canton. “Through the partnership with Mississippi Robotics, we’re able to help the next generation of Mississippi STEM leaders apply and expand their knowledge and skills. Our employees who are volunteering at the event look forward to welcoming the participants to our facility.”   

The Nissan Canton plant launched production in 2003 and currently has a capacity of 450,000 vehicles annually. The facility employs roughly 6,400 workers and has made more than $13.6 million in charitable donations to date.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. LEAF is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/. 

 

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Contact

Parul Bajaj
Nissan Corporate Communications
(615) 725-3061
Parul.Bajaj@nissan-usa.com