Mark Your Calendar for 2019 Manufacturing Day in Florida

October 4 may be a few months away, but it is never too early to start preparing your toolkit for Manufacturing Day/Month. MFG Day continues to garner widespread participation on a national level and has made a tremendous impact on inspiring the next generation of manufacturers. Here in Florida, Manufacturing Day is big. It's a central event when the entire state comes together to participate in MFG Day industry tours and events. Since the inception of this national event, FLATE and its network of statewide partners have worked cohesively to implement a successful strategy for MFG Day that has not only made heads turn on a national level but made a tremendous impact on multiple levels.

Pre and post event surveys from Manufacturing Day Industry Tours, conducted and tabulated by FLATE, reveal measurable growth. Over the years FLATE has taken the lead and has made a relentless effort in meticulously compiling regional and statewide data that reflects statewide impact from manufacturing day industry tours and events. In looking at the cumulative data from 2013 to 2018, the total number of students participating in industry tours increased from 2,307 in 2003 to over 25,000 through 2018. The number of educators participating in MFG Day grew from 110 to over

1,600, while the number of parents participating increased from 66 to nearly 1000 over a period of five years. The total number of industry tours have skyrocketed from 72 in 2013 to over 855 industry tours by the end of 2018. The number of manufacturing employees jumped from 225 to over 3000 in 2018. Number of students surveyed, both before and after the tours cumulatively stand at over 10,000. Over a span of just five years total in-kind and cash contributions from patrons increased from approximately $30K to over $1,200M.

The writing is on the wall, the proof is in the pudding, whichever way you look at it, it is evident that Manufacturing Day Student Tours have and continue to make a tremendous impact on students, educators and manufacturers across the state. The numbers clearly reveal a definite trend for a need to invest and participate in Manufacturing Day industry tours and events. This year FLATE, FloridaMakes and its network of regional manufacturers associations, individual companies, and other partners will take the lead in organizing statewide industry tours and events. School districts across Florida are eager to encourage students and educators to participate. Manufacturers and organizations across the state are poised to open their doors to showcase products that are “Made in Florida,” provide information on exciting educational and career pathways in manufacturing, and hopefully inspire the next generation of Elon Musks to revolutionize the world of manufacturing as we know it.

There are a number of ways to be involved in this nationwide event that focuses on the strength of American Manufacturing. FLATE's Wiki is a great place to start planning MFG Day tours and events.  The site provides a comprehensive toolkit of resources for educators, students, manufacturers and/or anyone interested in participating in MFG Day/Month. Some of the online resources include:

Made in Florida Industry Tour Educational Resources

Pre & Post Tour – Teacher Lesson Plan

Industry Tour Lesson Plans

CIS Lessons to be used w/industry tours

Manufacturing Day kicks off on October 4, but events and industry tours are planned throughout the month of October. If you are interested in participating in a MFG Day industry tour for students, would like to host a tour, or would like information on educational/curriculum resources please contact your regional manufacturer's association, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org, or visit the FLATE flate.pbworks.com.