The ASNT Foundation newsroom shares the latest updates, news, and developments from the ASNT Foundation. Discover stories about scholarships, grants, research initiatives, and key moments that support the advancement of education and the nondestructive testing (NDT) profession.
By Alex Rios-Green
As we step into the final months of 2025, I can’t help but feel energized by everything we’ve accomplished together, and I'm even more excited for what’s ahead. The ASNT Foundation is still young, but we’re hitting our stride. This year has been full of growth, new opportunities, and moments that remind me why our work matters so much for the future of nondestructive testing (NDT).
On Tuesday, 2 December, we’ll celebrate Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity and one of the most important giving moments of the year. This time, we’re thrilled to introduce a brand new donation opportunity: Double the Donation.
This easy-to-use tool lets you quickly see if your employer will match your gift or even donate for your volunteer hours with ASNT or the ASNT Foundation! That means every dollar you give could instantly go twice as far (or more) to help us fund scholarships, training, and opportunities for the next and current generation of NDT professionals.
I’m especially excited to share this with our community, as it’s one of the simplest ways to make your generosity go further and to show how powerful we are when we come together.
Right after Giving Tuesday, we’ll launch our year-end giving campaign, along with a special Impact Report highlighting what your support has accomplished this year.
We’ll celebrate:
Scholarships and professional development opportunities that are changing careers and opening doors.
Stronger donor engagement and a growing culture of giving within ASNT.
Exciting new funding that’s fueling innovation and outreach.
Year-end giving is an important season for the Foundation, and this year we want to finish stronger than ever, fueled by gratitude and inspired by the difference your gifts are making.
One of the highlights of this year has been receiving the 2025 Central Ohio STEM Innovation Grant from Battelle, an incredible US$73 000 investment in the future of NDT.
With this support, we’re creating and distributing Ultrasound STEM kits to help middle-school students explore the science and technology behind NDT. These kits will spark curiosity, open doors to STEM careers, and introduce NDT to young minds who may never have heard of our field.
We’re teaming up with the ASNT Advocacy team and recruiting volunteers to help brainstorm, prototype, and assemble these kits, and we’re already talking with corporate partners about continuing this work even after the grant cycle ends. The potential to turn this into a long-term, signature program for the Foundation is incredibly exciting.
If your company is passionate about education, workforce development, or advancing NDT, this is a great moment to get involved. You can help us expand this program or explore other ways you can partner with the ASNT Foundation through corporate giving and partnerships.
With Giving Tuesday, our year-end appeal, and this exciting Battelle partnership, we’re positioned for a strong finish to 2025 and a bold start to 2026.
Thank you for standing with us. Whether through your time, your gifts, or your advocacy, you’re helping the ASNT Foundation grow opportunities, advance NDT, and inspire the current and next generation of professionals who will shape the future of our industry.
I can’t wait to celebrate our progress with you and to see what we’ll accomplish together next.
Alex Rios-Green: ASNT Foundation Fundraising Manager; arios@asnt.org
(Columbus, OH) The ASNT Foundation has unveiled a new series of free, hands-on classroom experiments designed to spark student curiosity in the science of nondestructive testing (NDT). By making the principles of NDT accessible through simple, engaging activities, the initiative supports ASNT’s broader mission to expand workforce development, build STEM career pathways, and inspire the next generation of NDT professionals.
The experiments covering concepts such as sound waves, magnetism, motion, and liquid behavior use everyday materials such as tuning forks, slinkies, straws, and foam balls. Each activity is also available in video format, making it easier for educators and students to see the concepts in action and connect them to NDT applications. This visual and approachable delivery ensures the lessons are not only easy to follow but also impactful, reinforcing the value of learning by seeing science at work.
By linking easy-to-follow science experiments to professional applications, the ASNT Foundation is equipping teachers with classroom-ready tools that spark curiosity and STEM learning, introduce students to meaningful technical careers, and build awareness of NDT’s critical role in infrastructure, aerospace, energy, and beyond.
“This initiative is about more than classroom fun, it’s about planting seeds for the future,” said Heather Cowles, Executive Director of the ASNT Foundation. “By showing students how everyday science connects to careers in nondestructive testing, we’re opening doors to rewarding career opportunities and ensuring industries have the skilled professionals they need to continue to thrive.”
Garra Liming, Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs at ASNT, added:
“These classroom experiments reflect ASNT’s broader commitment to workforce development and advocacy. By engaging students early, we’re not only sparking curiosity in science but also helping them see how nondestructive testing plays a vital role in everyday life. Through our outreach and advocacy efforts, we’re connecting classrooms, communities, and policymakers to build awareness of the high-demand, high-impact careers available in NDT.”
The NDT Classroom Experiments build on ASNT’s broader workforce initiatives, which encompass advocacy, career pathways, apprenticeships, grassroots outreach, and programs that expand opportunities for learners to discover NDT as a career of impact and purpose. Together, these efforts strengthen the pipeline of future NDT professionals who will ensure safety, reliability, and innovation across industries.
Start exploring today at https://foundation.asnt.org/resources.
About the ASNT Foundation
Established in 2022, the ASNT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. As a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of our industry partners and individuals who understand the importance of nondestructive testing (NDT) and its role in creating a safer world to support current and future generations of NDT programs through scholarships, grants, research, and workforce development.
Media Contact:
Heather Cowles
ASNT Foundation Executive Director
