Two additional areas have declared their winners in the yearly What’s So Cool About Manufacturing student video contest.
Ceremonies were recently organized to acknowledge seventh- and eighth-grade students in Chester and Delaware counties, as well as Berks and Schuylkill counties — after online voting and judges assessment.
The What’s So Cool About Manufacturing competition pairs middle school student teams in 12 regions across Pennsylvania with manufacturers — to create interesting videos that demonstrate the “cool” aspects of their partner company’s manufacturing process.
Berks and Schuylkill counties
The competition in Berks and Schuylkill counties is managed by the Manufacturers Resource Center. This year, teams from 26 schools were paired with manufacturers to create their video submissions.
The champions from Berks and Schuylkill counties were revealed on Monday, April 15. During a two-day voting period earlier his month, the competition received just under 148,000 votes.
Student videos were evaluated by a group of judges for prizes in 11 other categories, and The video with the most votes received the “Viewers Choice Award.” Five Berks County schools were part of the winning teams.
The 2024 award winners include:
• Outstanding Overall — Conrad Weiser Middle School’s portrayal of Reading Bakery Systems
• Outstanding Editing: Tri-Valley Jr./Sr. High School’s portrayal of Blaschak Anthracite
• Outstanding Creativity — Exeter Township Junior High School’s portrayal of PhytogenX Inc.
• Outstanding Cool: Boyertown Middle School West’s portrayal of Unique Pretzel Bakery Inc.
• Outstanding Team Spirit: Reading Southwest Middle School’s portrayal of Penske Racing Shocks
• Outstanding Educational Value: Blue Mountain Middle School’s portrayal of Hexcel Corp.
• Outstanding Videography: D.H.H. Lengel Middle School’s portrayal of Cardinal Systems Inc.
• Viewers Choice: Mahanoy Area Jr./Sr. High School’s portrayal of EMD Electronics
• Outstanding Outreach Plan: Tamaqua Area Middle School’s portrayal of Hydro
• Outstanding Career Pathway: Wilson Southern Middle School’s portrayal of PtP Spanco Inc.
• Outstanding Brand Placement: Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School’s portrayal of Prysmian Group-Schuylkill Haven
• Best CTE Story: Minersville Jr./Sr. High School’s portrayal of Ashland Technologies Inc.
“Eight years ago, we expanded the What’s So Cool contest to the Berks Schuylkill region,” Karen Buck, director of workforce initiatives at Manufacturers Resource Center, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have had another strong season with great community support, and 26 teams who raised awareness about cool career opportunities right here in our region. We are proud of each individual team’s work and collaboration and the growing engagement from the community through voting and attendance.”
The videos can be viewed on the What’s So Cool website https://www.whatssocool.org/contests/berks-schuylkill/.
Chester and Delaware counties
The competition for Chester and Delaware counties is managed by the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties. This year, teams from nine schools were paired with manufacturers to create their video submissions.
During the last year, the students collaborated with the companies to produce brief video profiles showcasing the products, production process, and the advantages of working in a technology-focused environment.
The winners from Chester and Delaware counties were revealed on April 10, after the public voted online. An impressive 19,000 votes were cast during the three-day voting period in March. Judges evaluated the videos. The 2024 award winners include:
• Coatesville Intermediate High School’s profile of Bender Inc. received the Outstanding Overall Video award.
• Octorara Junior High School’s profile of Aerzen USA won the Viewer’s Choice Award.
• Great Valley Middle School’s profile of JGM was recognized for Outstanding Editing.
• Renaissance Academy Charter School’s profile of United Safety & Survivability Corporation stood out for Outstanding Creativity.
• Delaware County Christian School’s profile of New Way Air Bearings was honored for Outstanding Videography.
• Penn’s Grove Middle School’s profile of Cleveland-Cliffs was acknowledged for its Outstanding Outreach Plan.
• Phoenixville Middle School’s profile of IFM Prover received the Outstanding Manufacturing Message award.
“What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? provides students with the chance to learn about modern manufacturing careers by interviewing individuals from various roles in the industry, from executives to administrative staff to floor technicians,” stated Patti Van Cleave, vice president of workforce development and STEM at the Chester County Economic Development Council. She added that a December 2023 PA Workforce Development Association report indicated that manufacturing jobs are just slightly below the levels before the pandemic.
“This program introduces children to the problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills used in the manufacturing industry, as well as the technical skills, and gets them excited about exploring future careers in this field.”
The videos are available for viewing on the What’s So Cool website https://www.whatssocool.org/contests/chester-delaware/.
In May, a Best of PA event will showcase videos from contests across the state. A national panel of judges will choose the top three videos from Pennsylvania. Additionally, the team with the highest daily vote count during the contest period will receive the state Viewers Choice award.
