Greenville-area students got a new perspective on manufacturing and learned more about career opportunities during an event at Fluor Field.
The Greenville Drive hosted Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night July 18. The event spread awareness about jobs in the fields, introduced kids to different aspects of the industries and let them experience them first-hand.
Representatives from manufacturing and engineering companies in the Upstate participated in interactive exhibits. Students were encouraged to explore each exhibit and interact with the technology on display. There was also a panel discussion at District 356 outside the ballpark that featured leaders from BMW Manufacturing, Greenville Technical College, GE Gas Power, Greenville County Schools and Michelin North America.
In recent years, manufacturers have shifted to more robot-centric products and machinery. Featured exhibitors brought their gadgets to showcase. Among these were a robotic dog, remote-controlled machines and robots with checkers skills.
Members of the robotics team at Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School brought their own robots to the exhibition to show off their competitive skills and impressive builds.
“Robotics teaches students valuable skills,” said Chris Beyerle, robotics coach and STEM teacher at Fisher Middle. “Even if they are not interested in a career in robotics, they are able to learn coding, problem solving and how to perform under pressure.”
The Boston Red Sox exhibit demonstrated how STEM is used in baseball. The booth explained the technology behind monitoring high-speed pitches and hits, and even had a baseball bat for kids to swing and see their speed.
“It is so interesting to see how science is involved in everything, even sports,” said Courtney Burkett, who brought her daughter and niece. “You don’t realize how big of a role science plays in our everyday lives until you see something like this.”
