Last
year, FLATE worked with industry partners and regional manufacturers
associations across the state to implement a statewide
strategy for manufacturing
day/month. The event was deemed highly successful and did much to place Florida
firmly on the national manufacturing map. Following the tours, we brought you a
story in April that highlighted the impact Manufacturing Day 2014 had on
statewide participants, and the feedback FLATE received through post event
surveys. In this edition we dig deeper and highlight additional data and
details.
In
2014 more than 3,000 students from 39 counties toured 88 facilities across
Florida participated in Manufacturing Day. Following the tours, surveys were
completed by almost 1,500 students. Data collected included anecdotal evidence
based on feedback from students, industry hosts, staff, and teachers as well as
aggregated survey results from eight years of student tours of manufacturing
facilities. Survey data collected from 2014 Manufacturing Day including
emerging themes were compiled and analyzed, and were published in the April 2015 edition of the FLATE Focus.
In
addition to what was reported in April, FLATE has compiled further survey comment
analysis. Additional findings show a
Heightened Awareness about
Careers and Jobs in Manufacturing following
the tours. In that, students were exposed to a range of careers available in
the industry, from engineers and scientists positions requiring a four-year
degree, to CNC technicians and helpers who can enter the workforce straight
from high school. Findings overwhelmingly support the importance of showcasing
real-world, work environments with real
people doing real jobs. (The infographic
produced by the Manufacturing Institute (2015) illustrates the level of impact
generated by exposure to and familiarity with manufacturing.)
The
Made In Florida industry tours offered an effective way to increase
participants’ familiarity to industrial settings, and in turn contributed to
raising the number of parents and educators encouraging their children/students
to explore the world of modern manufacturing and related careers. The surveys also pointed to the importance of
classroom-manufacturing
industry connections, and the crucial need for educators to
tie what students are being taught in the classroom with the real world. To
that effect, industry tours were identified as a highly effective tool to
achieve this goal.
Survey
data also showed significant impact on educators. Educators
articulated that the tours gave them a deeper insight about the manufacturing
industry and related careers, and helped integrate STEM concepts in their curriculum
materials. Educators also stated industry tours aided them in developing a more authentic, application-based curriculum. They recommended
a two-pronged outreach strategy that is: 1.Geared
to offset negative images of manufacturing; 2. highlight use of fun, high-tech,
computer skills that offer well-paying jobs and opportunities for advancement.
Indeed the tours proved beneficial for all in facilitating first-hand
experiences for students to discover the relevance of STEM
and its applications
in the real world. Students were able to connect with incumbent employees engaged
in manufacturing which gave them an accurate picture
of what a future job in the industry looks like, and potentially helped them make informed decisions. Planning for Manufacturing Day
2015 is already underway. FLATE together with its regional industry and
educational partners are working hard to grow participation as well as increase
the impact of tour experiences. “FLATE staff will also be working closely with
teachers before the tours to make sure they are comfortable using the pre-tour
lesson plans and associated activities provided to them. If parents and
teachers don’t have personal experience in today’s manufacturing, they can’t
guide their children with accurate opinions and information about manufacturing
careers,” said Pat Lee, FMA Public Relations Director and a member of the
Rockford, Ill., Chamber of Commerce Manufacturers Council.
To
extend the scope and deepen the impact of the tour experience, FLATE will once
again encourage teachers to have a post-tour, debriefing discussion with their
students, and utilize follow-up lesson plans and activities. Additional efforts
will focus on adding new tour locations and increasing student participation
through regional organizational partnerships. For in-depth information on this
article and survey data from
last year’s manufacturing day tours, click on the link to the “What’s New Section” on www.fl-ate.org, or contact Nina Stokes, FLATE project manager at stokes@fl-ate.org. For information on 2015 Manufacturing Day and Made in Florida Industry tours contact Dr. Marilyn Barger,
executive director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org and visit http://madeinflorida.org/manufacturing-day.
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