Last fall, six teams of middle school students from Cocalico, Ephrata Area, Gerald Huesken (Conestoga Valley), Martin Meylin (Lampeter Strasburg), Marticville (Penn Manor), and Pequea Valley set out on a journey most of them had never taken before: a trip inside a real manufacturing facility. Armed with cameras, curiosity, and creativity, their mission was simple to ask and hard to answer: what’s so cool about manufacturing?
Before ever stepping onto a production floor, students researched their assigned manufacturer and learned the basics of the industry. Then came the real experience. They toured facilities, filmed operations, and sat down with industry professionals to hear firsthand what it’s like to build a career in manufacturing. This is exactly the kind of real world exposure that turns career exploration from an abstract idea into something students can see, touch, and imagine themselves doing.
Back in the classroom, students edited hours of footage down into a two minute video answering the question that started it all. The results were a showcase of imagination, creativity, and hard work.
Regional Winners Take the Stage
On March 20, the South Central PA WSCM Regional Awards Event gave these young filmmakers their moment to shine. Among 14 entries:
- Pequea Valley Intermediate School won Outstanding Overall for its video on Savencia Fromage and Dairy
- Ephrata Area Middle School won Outstanding Creativity for its portrayal of Weaver Industries
- Gerald G. Huesken Middle School won Outstanding Career Pathway for its spotlight on High Steel University
Other Lancaster County participants included Marticville Middle (Penn Manor) with FASTSigns, Cocalico with High Concrete, and Martin Meylin (Lampeter Strasburg) with Stryten Energy.
Pequea Valley Intermediate, Ephrata Area Middle, and ELCO Middle School in Lebanon County will represent the region at the state competition on May 15 at Whitaker Center in Harrisburg. You can watch all the participating teams’ videos on the WSCM contest site.
A Turnkey Model for Work Based Learning
Thanks to sponsors and foundations, this program comes at no cost to schools. MANTEC, one of seven Industrial Resource Centers in Pennsylvania, coordinates the South Central PA regional contest across Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties.
This is career exploration built to work for everyone involved. The curriculum aligns with PA standards, so students walk away with a firsthand experience that can shape their career direction and an artifact they can use to meet career exploration requirements. Teachers can earn Act 148 credits. Manufacturers get a genuine chance to connect with future talent and build goodwill in the community. It is a win for students, a win for teachers, and a win for employers.
Get Involved with Career Ready Lancaster
Programs like this are exactly what Career Ready Lancaster is built to grow: hands on, career exploration learning experiences that connect students directly with local employers and give them a real feel for the careers available right here in Lancaster County.
Registration is now open for schools and manufacturers who want to join next year’s contenders. If your school or business is ready to give students a firsthand look at what a career in manufacturing (or any local industry) can offer, reach out to Career Ready Lancaster today to learn how to get involved.