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One way to get the next generation interested in careers is through the 'What's So Cool About Manufacturing' video contest that will be held again this year by the Manufacturers Resource Center - PHOTO/PROVIDED
Contest to promote CTE and STEM education kicks off 8th year
Cris Collingwood//November 7, 2023//
Allentown-based Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) is holding its 8th “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” (WSCM) in Berks and Schuylkill counties to promote career and technical and STEM education in middle schools.
The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” student video contest connects 7th and 8th grade students with manufacturers to learn about their trade. The students then develop, shoot, edit and produce a “cool” video to document their experiences.
“MRC is proud to bring What’s So Cool About Manufacturing to the Berks and Schuylkill counties for its 8th year” said Rich Hobbs, MRC president and CEO. “The program’s continued success and impact can be attributed to the efforts the teachers and students have put forth, along with the many partners and community sponsors committed to building a future workforce which will in turn support economic growth and expansion in the region.”
Student teams from 28 Berks and Schuylkill county middle schools will partner with 28 area manufacturers in eleven regions across the state, where videos will compete first in regional contests and then in the annual Statewide Awards in Harrisburg.
All videos will be posted on the “What’s So Cool” website WhatsSoCool.org, and will be open to the public for voting March 8-10, 2024, for the Viewers Choice Award.
The Berks Schuylkill Awards Event will be held Monday, April 15, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading.
“We are thrilled to kick off year eight of the WSCM program in Berks and Schuylkill,” said Karen Buck, director of Workforce Initiatives for MRC. “The potential for exciting careers in manufacturing is demonstrated to the community through profile videos of the manufacturers. The students get excited about new career options and the possibility of working in a cool manufacturing environment. We encourage students to foster that excitement by exploring CTE and STEM education as they prepare for their high school years. The program creates limitless opportunities for both manufacturers and students.”
