-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
SEL’s Intentional K-12 Outreach Paying Off
November 8, 2023 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
There are negative stereotypes and a general lack of awareness about manufacturing and viable career paths among today’s emerging workforce. To help change that perception and introduce young minds to modern manufacturing, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) hosts thousands of K-12 students to tour and experience its manufacturing facilities. The outreach goes beyond the students—this effort also raises awareness with educators. In this interview, John Cassleman, program manager for K-12 outreach, says this effort is working and providing hope for the future.
Barry Matties: John, how many students have taken part in SEL’s K-12 outreach program and how does it work?
John Cassleman: We’ve had 2,300 students participate over the past year (and even more when you include educators), and it works through four core tracks. The first track involves a tour of our manufacturing operations, where students see our processes and machines, and meet the people working here, which I think is the most important part because you see all the different careers that manufacturing can offer.
The second track puts SEL engineers, technicians, and others into the classrooms, where they talk about their careers. We usually couple that with an activity, so the kids get a taste of what that career looks and feels like.
The next track is events, like our Getting Ready for Engineering and Technology (GREAT) Day, where we host students from around the region to learn from our professionals, see our manufacturing processes, and understand how engineering and manufacturing are connected. At this event, we host about 100 students from more than a dozen schools around the region.
The day looks like this: Students arrive at SEL by 8:30 a.m., where they're warmly greeted at an opening session. From there, they attend breakout sessions that involve problem-solving activities. For example, it could be with our user experience group, where they learn about design and how to incorporate customer feedback. After the group activities, we take them to the manufacturing floor where we have set up displays that feature certain elements of the manufacturing process: cables, chassis of our relays, or some robotics. We also incorporate some design challenges, so the students take what they've learned and create some idea or a product. We conclude the event with lunch, where attendees are joined by SEL engineers and manufacturing experts. Students get to chat, ask questions, and show the engineers the work they've done throughout the day. This gives the engineers an opportunity to provide feedback as well. Everyone here is an employee-owner, and they volunteer their time to help. It's a full day, a lot of fun, and we all love it.
To continue reading this interview, which appeared in the November 2023 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Insulectro on Attracting Young Talent to the Electronics Manufacturing Industry
05/16/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOInsulectro's Doug Gotelli and Mitchell Benson explore the challenges of drawing young talent into the electronics manufacturing industry. They underscore the significance of manufacturing and the urgency of tackling the workforce shortage. They also discuss internship programs, the industry's resilience amid the pandemic, and the rewarding experiences of working in this sector.
Siemens, Foxconn Team Up to Optimize Forward-thinking Manufacturing
05/16/2024 | FoxconnSiemens AG, a leading technology company, and Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive digital transformation and sustainability in smart manufacturing platforms.
TRI Opens New Manufacturing Facility
05/16/2024 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading test and inspection systems provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, announced that it has opened a state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing facility.
SEMICON West 2024 to Spotlight U.S. Chip Industry Investments, Supply Chain Resilience, Talent, and Global Growth and Innovation
05/15/2024 | SEMISEMICON West 2024 will gather industry experts and leaders July 9-11 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco for insights into the latest trends and innovations in sustainability, supply chain management, workforce development and other critical industry issues.
Using AI to Redefine Productivity
05/15/2024 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazinePlato Systems, a machine perception company spun out of Stanford University, employs AI and video data to analyze and optimize the human component in manufacturing. Initially focused on semiconductors, Plato Systems has expanded into EMS manufacturing. Co-founder and CEO Amin Arbabian, along with product advisor Anders Holden and head of growth Luis Vidal, discuss their approach to changeover optimization and its impact on productivity in the industry. They’ve also included customer Raj Vora in the conversation.