Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the completion of a Manufacturing Innovation Challenge involving Integrated Production Technology students from the Carver Career & Technical Education Center and NGK Spark Plugs USA, Inc. The challenge required the students to develop a solution to help increase productivity and improve performance efficiency in a production process for an air sensor manufactured at the Sissonville, WV facility. The challenge is hosted by Explore the New Manufacturing, an educational outreach program designed to provide West Virginia middle and high school students with topics focusing on manufacturing career pathways.
“It was never about completing the project; it has always been about the students – what the students learn and take away from the project that may help them during their future endeavors,” stated William Carte, Sensor Manufacturing Assistant Supervisor for NGK Spark Plugs. Carte concluded by saying, “NGK would like to thank all the students, instructors, and teachers involved with the challenge. The students have impressed everyone with their determination, ambition, and ability to maintain focus and overcome all roadblocks during this school year to complete the challenge. Great job!”
As part of the challenge, the Carver team presented their findings to NGK representatives. The students described the steps they undertook to develop their solution, including developing a prototype instrument to help improve NGK’s production efficiency. The team used CAD Solid Edge software and an F120 3D printer to create the prototype.
“Working with Explore's Manufacturing Innovation Challenge has been one of the greatest experiences in my classroom,” noted Bruce Hamrick, Integrated Production Technology (AC) Instructor at Carver. “This is project-based learning at its best. The students have really increased their technical skills by creating a solution for a real-world problem.” He went on to emphasize, “One of the greatest achievements has been the development of the students’ soft skills (teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication). These skills cannot be easily taught, but they’re as important as technical skills and academics to be successful in post-high school career choices. This MIC has been a great tool for students to work on and increase their soft skills.”
Participating Carver students: Chaz Bentley (Capital High School), Avery Harper (Homeschool), Wyatt Lucas (Capital High School), Carver Tanner Perdue (Riverside High School), and Allison Perdue (Capital High School).
Participating Carver educators: Bruce Hamrick (Integrated Production Technology (AC) Instructor), Cyndi Nelson (English Instructor), and Sara Hampton (Math Instructor).
“Today’s high school students will be tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce in West Virginia,” said Program Director Monica Cross, who oversees the Explore the New Manufacturing Program on behalf of the West Virginia Manufacturing Association Educational Fund’s efforts to create student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the training opportunities for these positions in their local areas. “We are excited to have Carver Career & Technical Education Center and NGK Spark Plugs USA, Inc. to team up for this year’s challenge. The real-world experience provides insight into a modern manufacturing environment that uses skills in technology, problem-solving, creativity, and communication that they have been developing in school.”
Explore's Manufacturing Innovation Challenge is designed to allow high school student teams to solve actual manufacturing problems faced by West Virginia manufacturers. Each challenge is unique and can come from a variety of aspects of the company's operations. Students learn how problem-solving skills are a critical element to job performance. The challenge concludes with a formal team presentation, after which students and manufacturers discuss the feasibility of implementing the solution. The experience illustrates how teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills are used to implement the industry's solutions.
