P-TECH hosts events for district leaders, students
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The Dream It Do It Advanced Manufacturing Program, in partnership with Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, recently hosted a two-day Manufacturing Camp from July 18-19.
The camp allowed representatives of different school districts to tour a few facilities, such as Nestle Purina and WNY P-TECH. Attendees to the free camp also received hands-on experience with machines and technology that students and professionals utilize.
Throughout the camp, administrators, teachers, and counselors were provided information about exciting manufacturing careers and experiences in the WNY region. The two-day program aimed to have these faculty members bring their newfound understanding and knowledge of manufacturing back to their districts to inform students who might be interested in exploring that field.
Day one of the program was the manufacturing career awareness section. Camp attendants visited and toured the Nestle Purina manufacturing facility in Dunkirk. They were informed of the manufacturing process and went through thorough sanitation procedures, just as an employee would.
Actual manufacturing production occurred on day two of the program. An overview of the manufacturing process explained what each mechanism does as the group moved from machine to machine. Participants manufactured a Geneva Timing Mechanism with the help of Timothy Piazza, Engineering Science instructor at Jamestown Community College.
Piazza also guided the girls who attended the Girls in Manufacturing Program at WNY P-TECH on Wednesday, July 20. Students were given a tour of the facility and an introduction to manufacturing. Most participants were preparing to enter ninth grade, with a few younger students in attendance as well.
Both programs were created thanks to a partnership between Dream It Do It and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier.
"The Dream It Do It Advanced Manufacturing Program (DIDIAMP) has been built and informed by students, teachers, counselors, school principals, funders, and manufacturers in our region," said Todd Tranum, Executive Director of MAST. "DIDIAMP is about connecting, engaging, enriching, challenging, and rewarding students on their way to manufacturing career pathways."
As part of the implementation of the DIDIAMP, the group is also using a technology platform called Tallo. Tallo is provided at no cost to schools and students. The Tallo platform brings talent, employers, colleges, students, and organizations together within a virtual hub of connectivity and resources.