Winners named in ‘What’s So Cool About Manufacturing’ contest

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Leaders in the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing industry got together with their new middle school friends to celebrate “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” Tuesday night and name the winners of this year’s video contest. 

The contest, held by the Manufacturers Resource Center, partners teams of middle school students with manufacturers in the region to create videos explaining what the companies do with the theme of “What’s So Cool” about them. 

The goal is to get more young people interested in careers in manufacturing and help fill the talent pipeline for employers in the region. 

Over a three-day voting period, the contest, which featured two-minute videos produced by each student team, received 274,867 votes.  

The video with the most votes received the “Viewers Choice Award.” Student videos were also reviewed by a panel of judges for awards in 11 other categories, including Outstanding Videography and Outstanding Creativity.  

The 2024 video contest award winners are: 

1. Outstanding Overall Program: Nazareth Area Middle School – KB Systems Inc.
2. Outstanding Editing: Broughal Middle School – Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing
3. Outstanding Creativity: LMMS – JULABO USA
4. Outstanding Cool: East Hills Middle School – Freshpet, Inc.
5. Outstanding Team Spirit: Saucon Valley Middle School – Human Active Technology
6. Outstanding Educational Value: Wind Gap Middle School – ABEC
7. Outstanding Videography: Bangor Area Middle School – C.F. Martin & Co., Inc.
8. Viewers Choice: Northampton Area Middle School – Follett Products, LLC
9. Outstanding Outreach Plan: Southern Lehigh Middle School – Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
10. Outstanding Career Pathway: Northeast Middle School – Bosch Rexroth Corporation
11. Best Career & Technical Education Story: Lehighton Area Middle School – B.T.M. Incorporated
12. Outstanding Brand Placement: South Mountain Middle School – Stanley Black & Decker

“As we reflect back over the last 11 years of What’s So Cool in the Lehigh Valley, it’s gratifying to see the growing talent and excitement of the students through their videos, as well as the enthusiasm from the community through voting and attendance,” said Karen Buck, director, Workforce Initiatives at MRC. “This was a great contest year, and the hard work of the students, teachers and manufacturers is really evident. Being able to broadcast the awards event live, from a larger venue here at Lehigh University allows us to amplify the students’ efforts, as well as increase our impact in raising awareness about manufacturing career opportunities.” 

Four winning teams in the region will represent Lehigh Valley at the annual statewide competition in May.