MANTEC has announced the annual statewide "What's So Cool About Manufacturing?" video contest. Middle schools and manufacturers of any size in nine southcentral Pennsylvania counties, including Lancaster, York, and Dauphin, are invited to participate.

This free program seeks to show participating seventh- and eighth-graders that manufacturers offer many pathways to employment in modern production environments. The contest provides students a hands-on learning opportunity outside the normal school day, exposes them to the world of manufacturing, engages both their analytical and creative skills to create content, and seeks to help address long-term workforce issues. The contest also addresses a key element of equity: access to resources. Students of all academic abilities and financial circumstances can learn about pathways to family-sustaining jobs.

Manufacturers gain the opportunity to show off their operations, build camaraderie among employees, and reinforce the significance of manufacturing to the next generation. Educators receive a free turnkey career exploration activity with a lesson plan that meets PDE requirements as an artifact in student Chapter 339 folders. Additionally, the community receives exposure across the region and state as the student/manufacturer videos are promoted and recognized.

The registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 26. For more information or to register a school or business, visit http://www.mantec.org. To learn more about the statewide contest, visit http://www.whatssocool.org or contact Cindi Moses at cindi@mantec.org or 717-341-4312.