About Us
Fostering Open Innovation
4,700+
People Impacted in 2023
128
Member Families
100%
Volunteer-Run
Our Mission
To create a collaborative and inclusive Open Innovation Tech Space that integrates cutting-edge technology, hands-on craftsmanship, education, professional development, robotics, youth empowerment, and the intersection of art and technology.
Through multi-age collaboration, we inspire, empower, and connect individuals across diverse fields to foster innovation and community impact.
Our History
The Forge Initiative, initially established as Wake Robotics 14 years ago in Cary, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our organization relies heavily on volunteers, so programs are driven by the dedication of our members, including parents and individuals, sharing their passion for STEAM. From fundraising and organizing to administration, marketing, and event planning, the heart of our operation lies in the collective efforts of regular people generously contributing their time and skills.
Our Impact
Our community is a force of 128 families, including 135 K-12 students, and 230 adults inspired in STEAM. Every year, we impact people in the broader community through member-run workshops, camps, FIRST events, and community outreaches. Together, we’re fostering a culture of learning and innovation in the Triangle.
We believe that our future will be stronger and our communities more vibrant when people of all ages engage collaboratively in technology. We act to create that future within every “Forge”.
What We Do
At The Forge, our members actively contribute to a spectrum of activities. From coaching robotics teams to developing individual projects, to conducting hands-on STEAM demonstrations in libraries and schools—our community is a bustling hub of collaboration.
Artists integrate technology into their creations, engineers infuse artistic elements into technology, and both youth and adults conduct workshops and programs to share their knowledge and foster learning. This space isn’t limited to specific age groups; it’s a place where educators and aspiring educators experiment with innovative approaches to teaching and learning in STEAM.
Throughout these activities, intentional team building, leadership, and collaboration skills are learned and practiced. Members then carry these honed skills to their schools and workplaces, creating a ripple effect of knowledge and capability throughout the broader community.
How We Do It
Our learning model, D-ELL (Discover, Explore, Learn, Lead), serves as a guiding framework for the dynamic journey of education within our informal STEAM environment.
Discovery unfolds in fleeting moments—an exposure to a new idea or cutting-edge technology. Exploration follows, as individuals immerse themselves in areas that captivate and intrigue them, an essential step in comprehending innovative technologies and approaches. This exploration phase involves experimentation and problem-solve identification. Learning comes next, marked by a deliberate intent to deepen understanding for those who have explored and discovered. Finally, leadership emerges, where individuals, equipped with newfound skills and confidence, guide others through mentoring, role modeling, and teaching. This stage is the catalyst for remarkable achievements, driven by the assurance and expertise gained along the learning journey.
The Forge is not just a space; it’s a dynamic environment where the D-ELL model propels individuals toward greatness, fostering a culture of continuous learning and leadership.
