Empowering Tenth-Grade Students: Manufacturing Experience Day Inspires Future Innovators
On April 17th, more than 110 tenth-grade students from five area schools embarked on a transformative journey of exploration and learning during Manufacturing Experience Day. Hosted by Clinton Community College (CCC) in collaboration with The Development Corporation (TDC), CFES Brilliant Pathways, and local manufacturers, this event aimed to ignite a passion for STEM careers and manufacturing innovation among the youth.
Students from Beekmantown CSD, Brushton-Moira CSD, Chazy CSD, Northern Adirondack CSD, Plattsburgh High School, and Willsboro CSD visited the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM) and the Clinton Community College campus. This marked the second time CCC has co-hosted this event with TDC, reinforcing its commitment to fostering educational opportunities that bridge classroom learning with real-world applications.
Throughout the day, students immersed themselves in a series of engaging activities designed to provide hands-on experiences in manufacturing. At CCC, they tackled manufacturing-related "missions," such as donning safety harnesses, mastering virtual welding simulations, and exploring cutting-edge technologies through interactive demonstrations and workshops. They also had the invaluable opportunity to interact with current welding students, gaining insights into their experiences and future aspirations.
"The Manufacturing Experience Day not only showcased the exciting possibilities within the manufacturing industry but also empowered students to envision themselves as future leaders and innovators," remarked Carey Goyette, Vice President for Academic Affairs at CCC. "By fostering partnerships between education and industry, we're equipping our youth with the skills and inspiration needed to thrive in the workforce of tomorrow."
The day's itinerary also included visits to two local manufacturing facilities in Plattsburgh, offering students a firsthand glimpse into the inner workings of modern manufacturing enterprises. These immersive experiences provided invaluable insights into the diverse career pathways available within the industry, from engineering and design to production and management.
A highlight of the event was the collaboration between education and industry, with local manufacturers generously sharing their expertise and resources to inspire the next generation of talent. Through initiatives like Manufacturing Experience Day, TDC, CFES Brilliant Pathways, and CCC are driving meaningful change in the educational landscape, empowering students to explore their passions and pursue rewarding careers in STEM fields.
“This very successful event reflects our strong partnerships with area schools as well as Brilliant Pathways. It is through these strong partnerships that we strive to meet the educational needs of the North Country.” Stated John Kowal Ph.D., President of CCC.