For a group of Carver after-school students at Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, a recent visit to Conair's Stamford headquarters provided an inspiring glimpse into the world of innovation, engineering, and product development.
The visit was made possible through Conair's growing partnership with The Carver and its support of the Carver Innovators initiative, which introduces middle school students to robotics, engineering, problem-solving, and other hands-on STEM experiences. As one of the earliest corporate supporters of Carver Innovators, Conair has helped create opportunities for students to see how classroom learning can connect to exciting future careers.
The Carver Innovators winning robotics team from Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy earned the visit following its first-place finish at the Carver Innovators Student Showcase: Robotics held this spring at Norwalk Havoc Robot League (NHRL) in Norwalk.
Led by Joseph J. Giandurco, Carver's Lead Program Coordinator at Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy and the school's 6th-Grade Science Teacher, students toured Conair's offices, engineering workspaces, and product-testing laboratories. Along the way, they met with professionals from across the organization, participated in hands-on activities, and learned how a product moves from an idea or design concept through testing, manufacturing, marketing, and ultimately into the consumer marketplace.
"The Carver Innovators winning robotics team from Ponus had the opportunity to visit Conair headquarters in Stamford last week to meet with engineers, tour the facility, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about the company's research and development," said Giandurco. "They each brought home a bag full of products they chose."
Carver's Manager of Middle and High School Programs, Mary Martini, joined Giandurco in chaperoning the visit.
The Carver extends its sincere appreciation to the Conair team members who coordinated and hosted the experience, including Jenna Moss, Human Resources Specialist; Rafael Soliven, Project Engineer; Robin Krulikowski, Product Certification Coordinator; and Elena Rebimbas, whose enthusiasm for STEM education and commitment to engaging students helped strengthen the partnership between Conair and The Carver. Their willingness to share their expertise, answer students' questions, and create meaningful hands-on learning opportunities transformed the visit into an unforgettable educational experience.
For students who recently spent weeks designing, building, programming, and refining robots, the visit provided a powerful real-world extension of their STEM learning. They were able to see firsthand how engineers collaborate, how products are tested and improved, and how creativity and problem-solving drive innovation.
The trip built upon the success of the Carver Innovators Student Showcase: Robotics, which brought together teams from Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, Roton Middle School, Nathan Hale Middle School, and West Rocks Middle School. During the competition, students tackled challenges requiring precision, teamwork, perseverance, and critical thinking while demonstrating their growing knowledge of engineering and robotics.
While Ponus Ridge captured the championship trophy, the true victory was the opportunity for students to deepen their curiosity and imagine new possibilities for their futures.
Most importantly, the experience highlighted the value of partnerships between schools, nonprofits, and industry leaders. By opening its doors to students and investing in their growth, Conair demonstrated how businesses can play an important role in inspiring the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers.
Joseph J. Giandurco, Carver's Lead Program Coordinator at Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, 6th-Grade Science Teacher, standing with his winning students
The visit reflects a growing partnership between Conair and The Carver that extends beyond a single field trip. From serving as an early sponsor of the Carver Innovators initiative to welcoming students into its headquarters, Conair has demonstrated a genuine commitment to helping young people explore pathways in engineering, technology, product development, and innovation. The Carver is grateful for Conair's continued investment in local students and looks forward to building upon this relationship in the years ahead.
For the Carver students at Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, the journey from building robots in an after-school program to exploring a world-class innovation company may be just the beginning.
