Soaking Up Science: Rep. Johnson introduces students to cutting-edge technology
DECATUR — On August 1, in conjunction with Startup Day Across America, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) invited 10 students from the South DeKalb YMCA for a tour of inventor Dr. Lonnie Johnson's state-of-the art Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc. battery technologies lab and robotics arena in Atlanta.
Dr. Johnson, most famous as the inventor of the Super Soaker water gun, is a former NASA scientist who owns more than 100 patents and now runs a cutting-edge research and development lab downtown.
"Lonnie Johnson shared his story of developing his ideas and the tenacity it takes throughout this process because all along the way you will have people saying what you are doing can't be done," said Rep. Johnson. "But you have to follow your heart and stick to your path to see your dreams become a reality. Lonnie Johnson shows us all that hard work, determination, perseverance and tenacity truly pays off."
Dr. Johnson provided the students and Congressman Johnson with a behind-the-scenes tour of his lab. While leading the tour, Dr. Johnson shared with the students the pitfalls of going out on your own with a startup and the determination it takes to make it a success.
"It's all about perseverance," said Dr. Johnson. "You will encounter plenty of reasons to give up and you might encounter plenty of people that will tell you why something won't work. But you have to persevere and stick to your goal. I get inspired by these kids. The future belongs to them. It excites me to introduce them to technology and I just want them to be prepared and prosper in the exciting world and the future it holds in technology."
JBT works with leading-edge materials applying proprietary and patented processes to create batteries for world-class partners, such as British Petroleum (BP) and the Department of Defense. JBT continues to develop and test customized battery solutions for large, multi-national companies and government agencies in leading industries such as oil and gas, medical and automotive.
Congressman Johnson and Dr. Johnson formed a partnership previously when scientist Johnson served as a judge for Rep. Johnson's Inaugural Congressional App Challenge. Congressman Johnson believes we must continue to expose our youth to the latest advancements in technology so everyone has an opportunity to participate in jobs of the future.
"Today, we gave youth from South DeKalb County the opportunity to see all the research and development it takes to put this kind of advancement in technology together, while working from the standpoint of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM," said Rep. Johnson. "We are sparking the interest of our youth in careers in science and offering the kids the idea to use the skills they have to compete in robotics. This was a great day."
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