Two more regions have announced their winners in the annual What’s So Cool About Manufacturing student video contest.
Award events were recently held to recognize seventh- and eighth-grade students in Chester and Delaware counties, as well as Berks and Schuylkill counties — following online voting and judges review.
The What’s So Cool About Manufacturing competition pairs middle school student teams in 12 regions across Pennsylvania with manufacturers — to create engaging videos that showcase the “cool” aspects of their partner company’s manufacturing process.
Berks and Schuylkill counties
The contest in Berks and Schuylkill counties is produced by the Manufacturers Resource Center. This year, teams from 26 schools were matched with manufacturers to produce their video submissions.
The winners from Berks and Schuylkill counties were announced on Monday, April 15. During a two-day voting period earlier his month, the contest received just shy of 148,000 votes.
Student videos were reviewed by a panel of judges for awards in 11 other categories, and The video with the most votes received the “Viewers Choice Award.” Five Berks County schools were among the winning teams.
The 2024 award winners include:
• Outstanding Overall — Conrad Weiser Middle School’s profile of Reading Bakery Systems
• Outstanding Editing: Tri-Valley Jr./Sr. High School’s profile of Blaschak Anthracite
• Outstanding Creativity — Exeter Township Junior High School’s profile of PhytogenX Inc.
• Outstanding Cool: Boyertown Middle School West’s profile of Unique Pretzel Bakery Inc.
• Outstanding Team Spirit: Reading Southwest Middle School’s profile of Penske Racing Shocks
• Outstanding Educational Value: Blue Mountain Middle School’s profile of Hexcel Corp.
• Outstanding Videography: D.H.H. Lengel Middle School’s profile of Cardinal Systems Inc.
• Viewers Choice: Mahanoy Area Jr./Sr. High School’s profile of EMD Electronics
• Outstanding Outreach Plan: Tamaqua Area Middle School’s profile of Hydro
• Outstanding Career Pathway: Wilson Southern Middle School’s profile of PtP Spanco Inc.
• Outstanding Brand Placement: Schuylkill Haven Area Middle School’s profile of Prysmian Group-Schuylkill Haven
• Best CTE Story: Minersville Jr./Sr. High School’s profile 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 contest for Chester and Delaware counties is produced by the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties. This year, teams from nine schools were matched with manufacturers to produce their video submissions.
Over the past year, the students teamed up with the companies to create two-minute video profiles featuring what the manufacturers produce, how they make their products, and why working in a technology-driven environment can be rewarding.
The winners from Chester and Delaware counties were announced on April 10, following online voting by the public. A record-setting 19,000 votes were received over the three-day voting period held in March. Videos were evaluated by judges. The 2024 award winners include:
• Outstanding Overall Video — Coatesville Intermediate High School’s profile of Bender Inc.
• Viewer’s Choice Award — Octorara Junior High School’s profile of Aerzen USA
• Outstanding Editing — Great Valley Middle School’s profile of JGM
• Outstanding Creativity — Renaissance Academy Charter School’s profile of United Safety & Survivability Corporation
• Outstanding Videography — Delaware County Christian School’s profile of New Way Air Bearings
• Outstanding Outreach Plan — Penn’s Grove Middle School’s profile of Cleveland-Cliffs
• Outstanding Manufacturing Message — Phoenixville Middle School’s profile of IFM Prover
“What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? gives an opportunity to students to learn about modern manufacturing occupations by interviewing the people doing these jobs, from executives to administrative personnel to technicians on the floor,” Patti Van Cleave, vice president of workforce development and STEM at the Chester County Economic Development Council, said in a statement, adding that a December 2023 PA Workforce Development Association report said that manufacturing jobs remain just below pre-pandemic employment levels.
“This program introduces kids to the problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills utilized in the manufacturing industry in addition to the technical skills and gets them excited about exploring future careers in this sector.”
The videos can be viewed on the What’s So Cool website https://www.whatssocool.org/contests/chester-delaware/.
In May, a Best of PA event will feature videos from contests throughout the state. A national panel of judges will select Pennsylvania’s top three videos. In addition, the team that receives the highest number of votes per day during the contest period will be recognized with the state Viewers Choice award.
