FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 7, 2021
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MRC Announces the Launch of their Comprehensive Manufacturing Video Library and Kicks off Fifth Program Year for ” What’ s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Berks Schuylkill Counties
MRC Announces School Student Teams and Manufacturers for the 5th Annual WSCM (2021 virtual) Program Year
Reading, PA – January 7, 2021 – The Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) is proud to announce the release of its comprehensive manufacturing video library as it announces that “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” student video contest has commenced its fifth year in Berks and Schuylkill counties.
The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” comprehensive manufacturing video library, presented by WSCM PA and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PADCED) is a library of the who’s who in Pennsylvania manufacturing. The library can be accessed through the WhatsSoCool.org website and contains over 800 manufacturing videos.
“We are thrilled to kick off our 5th year of the WSCM program in Berks and Schuylkill,” said Terri Lampe Melcher, Business Development Manager Berks County for MRC. “Student teams will utilize the newly created WSCM video library that will serve as a resource for years to come and shows viewers just how important manufacturing is to our region.”
The student video contest provides middle school students a unique opportunity to connect directly with local manufacturers as they use their curiosity and creativity to research, develop, edit and produce a “cool” video to document their experiences. The contest, spearheaded by Manufacturers Resource Center, was created to generate excitement that draws students to consider manufacturing career paths and technical education. Student teams will partner with manufacturers for the virtual streamlined 2021 program throughout Pennsylvania this year and culminate in April with online public voting and virtual Awards Events.
“This career awareness program continues to excite students and manufacturers as it expands in Pennsylvania and spreads across the country,” said Karen Buck, Manager of Workforce Initiatives at MRC. “The program is a win-win for students and manufacturers. The students get to experience what modern, cool manufacturing looks like and the manufacturers get to demonstrate well-paying careers in manufacturing while exciting the next generation about technical education and STEM curriculum.”
In Berks and Schuylkill counties, 21 middle school teams representing 19 school districts are partnered with selected manufacturers to produce their video submissions, which will be posted on the “What’s So Cool” website WhatsSoCool.org, and will be open to the public for voting in mid-April 2021 to compete for the Viewers Choice Award. The program’s continued success and growth can be attributed to the efforts put forth by MRC and its partners Berks Business Education Coalition, eMediaWorks and Sahl Communications, Inc., and the middle school teachers and students in the community.
These student-manufacturer teams will represent the Berks Schuylkill Program this year:
| Boyertown Middle School East | WORLD electronics |
| Boyertown Middle School West | Eagle Metals, Inc |
| Brandywine Heights Middle School | R.M. Palmer Company |
| Conrad Weiser Middle School | Palram Americas |
| Daniel Boone Middle School | Sweet Street Desserts, Inc. |
| Exeter Township Junior High School | American Polarizers, Inc. |
| Governor Mifflin Middle School | Sunsweet Growers, Inc. |
| Mahanoy Area Middle School | Cardinal Systems, Inc. |
| Muhlenberg Middle School | Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials |
| North Schuylkill Jr./Sr. High School | Hydro |
| Oley Valley Middle School | Misco Products Corporation |
| Pine Grove Area Middle School | Highwood USA |
| Reading Northwest Middle School | Viwinco, Inc |
| Saint Clair Middle School | Mrs. T’s Pierogies |
| Schuylkill Valley Middle School | East Penn Manufacturing Company |
| Shenandoah Valley Jr./Sr. High School | Solar Innovations Architectural Glazing Systems |
| Tamaqua Area Middle School | Ashland Technologies, Inc. |
| Tri-Valley Jr./Sr. High School | Fabcon Precast |
| Williams Valley Jr./Sr. High School | Michael Foods, Inc. |
| Wilson Southern Middle School | American Crane Equipment Corporation |
| Wilson West Middle School | SOLO Laboratories, Inc. |
Original funding for “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” was also furnished by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PADCED).
Visit WhatsSoCool.org and for more information and resources.
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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 in manufacturing. MRC developed this innovative career awareness program that at 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 MRC program is expanding across the Commonwealth and the country.
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.
About Manufacturers Resource Center:
For nearly 30 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 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.