For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Goode
P: 814-781-3437
amy@communityedcenter.com
The Community Education Center’s DISCOVER Partnership collaborated with the Elk-Cameron County Penn State Extension 4H to recognize National Manufacturing Day during the month of October through their 3rd annual STEM Career Showcase. The STEM Career Showcase was designed to introduce 5th grade students to careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and help address the critical demand for skilled manufacturing labor. Utilizing Google Slides, the showcase focused on careers in the following manufacturing industries: Powdered Metals; Wood, Paper and Printing; Oil and Gas Production; Electrical Contacts and Components, Agriculture, and Textiles and Clothing. 5th Graders from Elk and Cameron County schools participated in the virtual event. Teachers were provided a toolkit with a pre and post lesson that included videos and worksheets.
According to Mrs. Raubenstrauch, Ridgway FSG STEM Teacher, “The google site is amazing and because I teach students on a six day cycle this site is allowing me this year to do a whole unit on manufacturing. I believe in light of COVID the virtual session was wonderful for the students to learn from someone other than the teacher.” Each school was partnered with a local manufacturer who connected with the class during a live, virtual session via Zoom. The company reps shared information about their company, products and career opportunities. Each session included a hands on activity that related to the company industry. According the Mr. Smith, Johnsonburg 5th Grade Teacher, “The kids had a blast”.
Participating elementary schools included Cameron County, Johnsonburg, Ridgway, South St. Marys elementary, St. Marys Catholic and St. Leos. This year’s Guest Educators and Manufacturing Representatives included Natalie Aiello, Elk-Cameron PSU Extension 4H; Evan DeLong from the Elk County Conservation District, Stephanie Stoughton from Domtar, Bill Buhite from Allegheny Contracting, Ryan Magaro from Rich Valley Apiary, Rachel Gilmore from Sew Wicked, Jason Gabler from Advantage Metal Powders and a team of employees from Contact Technologies. The classroom teacher lead a post reflection activity after the event for the students to assess if manufacturing would be a fit for their future career.
This event was coordinated by the Community Education Center’s (CEC) DISCOVER Partnership and Elk-Cameron PSU 4H and sponsored by the Stackpole Hall Foundation, The Mee Foundation and Workforce Solutions for North Central PA Business Education Partnership Grant from PA Department of Labor and Industry. Companies interested in hosting students for future programs are encouraged to contact the CEC at (814) 781-3437 or cec@communityedcenter.com. Pictured is the Johnsonburg students being led by Evan DeLong from the Elk County Conservation District to complete a water filtering activity, while Stephanie Stoughton from Domtar explained how the process works at their facility.
by Ryan Magara from Rich Valley Apiary to make
a candle out of beeswax.