K-State Product Development Road Show coming to Independence April 23
Friday, March 29, 2024
Quinton Berggren, right, senior engineer with Kansas State University's Technology Development Institute, discusses 3D printing with local high school students during the institute's product development seminar in Kiowa County. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's Technology Development Institute is bringing the K-State Product Development Road Show, an educational product development seminar for high school students and community members, to Independence on Tuesday, April 23.
The event will be held at Fab Lab ICC on the main campus of Independence Community College, 2564 Brookside Drive, Independence.
Area high school students can attend a session at 9:30 a.m. about the various types of engineering careers available to them and the work of the mechanical engineering staff at the Technology Development Institute, or TDI.
The TDI team will discuss how new technologies, such as 3D printing and other rapid prototyping technologies, can be used in the design and development of new products and technologies. The students will also get to take a closer look at a range of products that were produced using various manufacturing technologies.
"These presentations are a great way for us to talk with students about STEM careers and what K-State has to offer as they consider their future plans," said Bret Lanz, TDI commercialization director.
At 1 p.m., manufacturers, inventors and small businesses interested in learning more about the product development process can attend a session to learn about resources available in Kansas that help support the creation of new products and technologies.
Topics will include how to conduct market research to investigate interest in new ideas, the patenting process, designing and prototyping, and commercialization. Providers of business support services, such as economic development professionals, bankers, attorneys and accountants, are also invited to attend. The seminar is part of a series of similar events around the state.
"This program provides information for local community members about the network of resources available here in the state to help them create and launch new products," Lanz said.
There is no charge for the event, but registration is requested through the Innovative Business Resource Center or Fab Lab ICC.
"The TDI product development seminar is an opportunity for us all to learn about this amazing resource — right here in Kansas," said Janet Miller, NetWork Kansas manager of entrepreneurship for the Southeast Kansas region. "Attend, ask questions and learn how they can help."
In addition to registration, details about session times can be found at www.ibrcenter.org. Those with questions may also call Jim Correll, director of the Innovative Business Resource Center, at 620-252-5349.
The K-State Product Development Road Show is presented as part of the K-State 105 initiative, Kansas State University's answer to the call for comprehensive economic growth and advancement solutions for Kansas. It has been coordinated in conjunction with the statewide E-Community initiative of Network Kansas. Local sponsors of the Independence seminar include the Innovative Business Resource Center, the local partnering organization for Montgomery County E-Community, and Fab Lab ICC.
The K-State Technology Development Institute in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center that provides a broad range of engineering and business development services to both private industry and university researchers to advance the commercial readiness of new products or technologies.
