FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2022
Contact:
Kim Plyler
Kim@sahlcomm.com
484-554-5582
“What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Sponsors Continue Their Support in the Contest’s Ninth Year Lehigh Valley “What’s So Cool” Video Contest Gains More Recognition Across the State
Lehigh Valley, PA -February 24, 2022-The ninth annual “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Student Video Contest has a total of 28 middle school teams participating this year from Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties. There are 8 regional contests scheduled in Pennsylvania for the 2021-2022 school year, and qualifying student teams will advance to the WSCM Statewide Awards in May held at the Whitaker Center for Science & Arts in Harrisburg. The contest format, created by Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) here in the Lehigh Valley, has also been adopted by groups in 11 additional states and gained recognition and support from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.
“What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” (WSCM), presented by MRC is a video contest that gives students in Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties the opportunity to connect directly with local manufacturers, document their experiences and present them in an educational and “cool” way through documentary video production. The contest was created to generate excitement that draws students toward considering manufacturing career paths to create a 21st century workforce. The 8 regional Pennsylvania programs are supported by area sponsors and partners.
“We are so thrilled that the success of this program in each region has garnered attention across the state of Pennsylvania. In turn, the program design is validated, and the mission to raise awareness about manufacturing career opportunities in a community brings value to all the efforts put forth by the student teams and their manufacturing partners,” says Rich Hobbs, President & CEO of Manufacturers Resource Center.
Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) is proud to announce the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” (WSCM) Lehigh Valley Awards Show will be broadcast live on WFMZ on April 5th, 2022, and made possible through the generosity of Air Products, Workforce Board Lehigh Valley, and WFMZ.
Partnering with MRC for the project are eMediaWorks, Sahl Communications, Inc and EmpowerStar Enterprises. Educational media resources, GoPro Camera kits, professional media training from eMediaWorks, materials, and project costs were funded and made possible by the following: Leadership Sponsors; Air Products and Workforce Board Lehigh Valley Technology Sponsor; Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Platinum Sponsors; ABEC, ATAS International, BlueTriton Brands, Solar Technology, Inc., Stanley Black & Decker, and Univest Financial Networking Sponsor; Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. Gold Sponsors; Aerotek, B. Braun Medical Inc., Bracalente Manufacturing Group, Crayola LLC, Fulton Bank, Gross McGinley, LLP, J.G.Petrucci Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Lehigh University, Lehigh Valley Health Network, M&T Bank, Mack Trucks, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., PNC, PPL Electric Utilities, The Brynavon Group & Stewart Wealth Advisory Group, and Truist Silver Sponsors; Eastern Surfaces, Equinox Benefits Consulting, Fromm Electric, HindlePower, Inc., HMK Insurance, Just Born Quality Confections, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, Lehigh Valley Plastics, Northampton Community College, Penn State Lehigh Valley, Piramal Critical Care, Inc., ProtoCAM, RETTEW, and United Envelope Bronze Sponsors; Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Carbon Career & Technical Institute, Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, Career Institute of Technology, County of Northampton, JULABO USA, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, and Monroe Career & Technical Institute Media Sponsors; 99.9 The Hawk, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Lehigh Valley Business Journal, WDIY, and WFMZ 69 News Cupcake Competitors; Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Carbon Career & Technical Institute, Career Institute of Technology, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, and Warren County Technical School Cupcake Judges; Carlo’s Bakery, Lehigh University and Factory LLC.
Public Voting for Lehigh Valley “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” student videos will be open March 23-25 on the What’s So Cool website, WhatsSoCool.org, for the Viewers’ Choice Award.
This year’s awards show will be broadcast live on WFMZ, Tuesday, April 5th. Visit WhatsSoCool.org for more information and resources and follow on Facebook.com/wscmlv, Twitter @wscmlv and Linkedin.com/company/what-s-so-cool-about-manufacturing-lehigh-valley/
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About “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing”™:
Developed by Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC), WSCM program is a video based educational tool that increases awareness of career paths and technology in manufacturing, MRC developed this innovative career awareness program that as its core is “peer marketing” (kids telling kids what’s so cool about manufacturing jobs.). The contest is showcased on the What’s So Cool Website and shared nationally through the Manufacturing Institute and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership platforms. The Lehigh Valley contest has expanded across the Commonwealth and the country. The WSCM Video Library was created as a digital resource showcasing more than 500 Pennsylvania manufacturers. https://www.whatssocool.org/video-library/.
This contest gives students the opportunity to connect with local manufacturers, document their experiences and present them in an educational and “cool” way. The contest was created to generate excitement that draws students towards manufacturing career paths, and CTE and STEM education. Original funding for “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” was furnished by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PADCED).
About Manufacturers Resource Center:
For 33 years, the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) has helped small and mid-sized manufacturers become more competitive, adopt lean and agile processes, strategically grow their companies and invest more effectively in advanced technologies and their existing human capital. MRC is a nonprofit organization partially funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s NIST-MEP program, as well as the State of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development. The MRC is dedicated to creating jobs and economic opportunity in eastern Pennsylvania’s Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties.