What's So Cool About Manufacturing? Students Use a Camera to Find Out

Were you aware that, on average, there are 22,000 manufacturing job opportunities annually, with 20,000 of them being entry-level positions? This information comes from a white paper on the manufacturing labor market,  by the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC). It's likely that middle and high school students are unaware of these career possibilities. However, an innovative video project is actively altering that, turning the answer to a resounding YES.

DVIRC, a local manufacturing extension partnership (MEP) organization, is a private, not-for-profit entity that supports the growth of small- and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers, distributors and R&D labs. One way they do this is by supporting and growing the industry’s talent pipeline through the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing (WSCM) Program for the southeastern Pennsylvania region, sponsored by the H. Howard Colehower Foundation. 

Established by the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 2013, the overarching goal of the WSCM program is to transform students’ perceptions of manufacturing and manufacturing careers through a video contest.

“Students tour a manufacturing facility and produce a video about the company, what they manufacture and the impact those products have on the economy,” explains Hannah McGarry, director of workforce engagement, DVIRC. “Supplied with camera gear, software and professional guidance, student teams, alongside teacher coaches, delve into scripting, recording, editing and marketing their videos.”

Kevin Hartsoe, president of NDC International and Neu Dynamics, opened up his shop for a tour to Charles Boehm Middle School students.

“To prepare for the student tour, our team discussed what we wanted to show the students and made sure we had CNCs running so they could see the machines cutting,” Hartsoe says.

The students selected for this program are ones who expressed interest in manufacturing and video production. “They applied and beat out 20 other individuals to earn a spot on the WSCM team,” says Anita L. Quinn, M.Ed., Ignite-MS STEM/Science, NJHS advisor for Charles Boehm Middle School.

When asked about the motivation behind participating in a contest, one student expressed a passion for building and creating new things, particularly in STEM classes. Another shared, “I think it will be fun to work with others to create this video from start to finish through digital storytelling. This experience will let me explore a STEM field and inspire me for the future.” A third student expressed a high interest in manufacturing and proficiency in video-making programs.

Reflecting on how the students’ perception of manufacturing, specifically moldmaking, has evolved through the tour and video project, Quinn notes, “Students now have a better understanding of the manufacturing process and appreciate the intricate details involved. They were initially surprised by the complexity, realizing, for example, that fluctuations in temperature and humidity can affect the outcome of the process or product. The human inspection component remains integral despite advancements in programming and automation. This experience has made students more mindful of their consumption and the process behind the objects they use, challenging them to consider things such as obsolescence and the environmental impact.”

Hartsoe believes that the most important takeaway for Charles Boehm middle schoolers was the symbiotic relationship between education and the trades. “Having a college degree is great, but you can also make a great career in moldmaking,” he explains. “Getting a head start learning what’s necessary to succeed isn’t a given; you must plan. I think the students got a good idea how EVERYTHING they use every day is at one time or another touched by a machinist, toolmaker or engineer. The kids were fascinated with the wire EDM and the CNC hard mill used to cut mold plates for a Tier 1 automotive customer.”

The Philadelphia Region will hold its awards ceremony on March 21st at Normandy Farms in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, where the winners will be announced.

Addressing the benefits accruing to schools and students, whether they win or not, McGarry says, “The program offers lesson plans, fulfilling the requirement of career awareness activities. Winning teams receive state-wide recognition and a trophy. The team with the best overall video represents their region at the statewide competition in Harrisburg in May 2024.”

For all teams, the contest serves as a valuable experience introducing them to local manufacturers while simultaneously honing their video production and storytelling skills.

“Best of all,” adds McGarry, “this type of experiential learning is fun, engaging and unforgettable. The students and the teacher-coaches absolutely love it!”

Click here for a brief overview of the WSCM video contest.

For more information, contact Hannah McGarry at hmcgarry@dvirc.org