130 Middle and High School Girls Discover What Makes Manufacturing Real at Special Summit
East Hartford, Conn. (PRWEB) May 07, 2014 -- Who: 130 middle and high school girls from nine schools around the state, along with five Hartford Job Corp students. School districts represented include: Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, Bristol, Naugatuck, Plainville, and Torrington.
Welcoming speakers: DOL Commissioner Sharon Palmer; DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith
Keynote presentation: The Manufacturing Institute President Jennifer McNelly
Luncheon speaker: Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman
What: “Making It Real: Girls & Manufacturing Summit”
When: Thursday, May 8, from 9:00am – 1:15pm; schools invited to attend
Where: Connecticut Convention Center, 6th floor, Hartford, CT
Why: To introduce middle and high school girls and educators to the creative, cutting-edge world of today’s manufacturing and the rewarding careers it offers.
More than 130 middle and high school girls from schools around the state will travel to the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford to participate in Making It Real: Girls & Manufacturing Summit, hosted by "Connecticut. Dream It. Do It." in partnership with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), at SME’s Mfg4 Conference on Thursday, May 8.
Part of a three-day Mfg4 student program, the Summit will tap into today’s leading women in manufacturing to inspire the next generation of leadership and talent. Female leaders and practitioners from the field will discuss opportunities in manufacturing and the skills needed to be successful.
Students will be introduced to manufacturing through team-based activities that replicate the manufacturing process from concept to design to fabrication to quality control. They will see 3-D printing in action, and have a chance to tour the Mfg4 Conference exhibit hall and learn first-hand from manufacturers about rapid advances in manufacturing technology and future career opportunities.
An educator workshop on preparing the 21st century STEM workforce will also be held. The event’s keynote presentation will be delivered by Jennifer McNelly, President of The Manufacturing Institute in Washington, DC.
Launched in December 2010 by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), "Connecticut. Dream It. Do It." is part of a nationwide career awareness and recruitment program focused on creating a positive image of 21st century manufacturing.
“Manufacturing is facing a skills gap, and part of that is the under-representation of women in the industry,” said Susan Palisano, CCAT’s director of Education & Workforce Development. “Sparking interest in future careers among girls is a priority to assure that the region’s manufacturers can attract, retain and advance women in skilled positions.”
For more, visit mfg4event.com.
Making It Real Summit Schedule
8:00–8:45 Students arrive; continental breakfast and demos/networking
9:00–9:30 Welcome addresses – DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith, DOL Commissioner Sharon Palmer
9:30–11:15 Student and educator hands-on workshops – two student workshops (K’Nex Kompetition and Ice Cream Stick Factory); teacher workshop focused on preparing students for STEM careers
11:15-11:30 Students to luncheon
11:30–12:15 Luncheon
11:30-12noon Jennifer McNelly, president, The Manufacturing Institute, Washington, DC, keynote presentation
12:00noon Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman remarks
12:15–12:30pm Break; table activity, videos
12:30–1:15pm Women in Manufacturing Roundtable (moderated by Harriet Jones, WNPR) and student/teacher Q&A
1:15–2:00pm Students depart; optional tour of the Mfg4 Conference Exhibitor Hall
About Connecticut. Dream It. Do It.
Endorsed by the Manufacturing Institute and administered by Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. is part of a nationwide effort to create a positive image of manufacturing today and to develop an awareness of rewarding manufacturing careers. Through partnerships with business, industry, education, economic and workforce development organizations statewide, Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. is taking the lead in enhancing Connecticut’s current and future manufacturing workforce pipeline. For more information, go to http://www.ctdreamitdoit.com.
About SME
SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is uniquely dedicated to advancing manufacturing buy addressing both knowledge and skill needs for the industry. Follow @sme_mfg on Twitter or facebook.com/smemfg.
Karen Jarmon, CCAT, http://www.ccat.us, +1 (860) 282-4211, [email protected]
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