Protocols for

Regional Student Symposiums

Mary deManbey, Program Manager

CBIA Education Foundation

May 8, 2014

Why Create a Student Symposium?

Benefits

Appreciation for the manufacturing process

Essential understandings of careers

Current workplace practices and technologies

Opportunity for students to network

Opportunity to promote educational career pathways

Exposure to your college campus and what you have to offer

Manufacture Your Future

Statewide Symposium

RCNGM Symposiums: Historical Background

CBIA/RCNGM events in 2006 & 2008 – Statewide

Recreation of a factory floor (pods)

PODS CNC CAD/CAM Metal Stamping Wire/Spring Electroplating Lasers Injection Molding

Manufacture Your Future

Statewide Symposium (cont.)

RCNGM Symposiums: Historical Background

3,000 students, three days

Inkind services (marketing, communications, public affairs)

Financial support from RCNGM

Support from companies, financially and physically

Drawbacks •Cost •Resources •Inkind services

RCNGM Manufacture Your Future

Regional Symposiums

Workshops, Exhibitors at Community Colleges

2010 - 2013

First Steps – Determine:

Audience (who to invite and why)

Model

Venue

Regional Symposium Models

Manufacturing Process Model

10-minute sequential presentations – how a product is made

Company exhibits/demos

College tour (if time)

Highly structured/scheduled

Workshop Model

40-minute workshop presentations held concurrently

Company exhibits/demos held concurrently

General assembly (space/time allowing)

Comparing the Models

Manufacturing Process Model Workshop Model

PROS

The Whole Picture – mfg process

Interaction with exhibitors

CONS

Scheduling

Buses late – student traffic jams

Not enough time for exhibitors

PROS

Diversity of subject

matter

Student choice

More time with

exhibitors

CONS

Miss the whole picture

Examples of Possible Workshops

Introduction to Laser Scanning

Mastercam 101

Forging Designs for Jet Engine parts

Lean Manufacturing 101

Introduction to Fuel Cell Technology

Introduction to Rapid Prototyping

Basics of Aerodynamics and Acoustic Testing

Introduction to CNC Machining

How Does Engineering Fit Into the Manufacturing World

Choosing a Venue

College/University/Technical High School

Central location

Manufacturing or engineering program focus

5-6 classrooms together w/AV equipment

Space for vendors w/electric outlets

General assembly area (to accommodate up to 300

students)

Consider gyms, libraries

Preliminary Steps

Clear about goals

Scheduling – set reasonable date and a snow date (try to

avoid winter months)

Walk-through

Assess potential challenges, such as:

Scheduling

Outlets

IT support

School calendars

No funding for buses

Parking issues

Ordering food

Insurance

Soliciting Presenters and Exhibitors

Chamber of Commerce or business association

Industry consortiums (ex.: Aerospace Components Manufacturers)

Target specific companies to offer what you want (ex.: 3-D printing)

Tech high schools, other universities (instructors)

Attend conferences

(connect w/speakers)

Marketing materials

TIP: Persistence pays

Where to Begin

Soliciting Schools (student participants)

Research local schools, contact:

School/career counselor

Technology depts.

Robotics clubs

Science/ math department heads

Manufacturing , CAD, Welding dept. heads at tech high schools

Sometimes the principal

TIP: Persistence pays

Where to Begin

Next Steps: Working with Schools

Determine if transportation is an issue

Time requirements (students participate generally for 2 ½ hours)

Staggered scheduling is critical (note any time requests)

Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up

TIP: Persistence pays

What to Consider

Next Steps: Prior to the Event

Venue coordinator/contact

Student volunteers

Posters/Signage (including the day’s agenda)

Nametags

Food vendor

Proof of insurance (in some instances)

Security and/or medical personnel on site (in some instances)

TIP: Persistence pays

What You Will Need

Why Have Student Volunteers

Room Coordinator

Lunch Distributors

Announcer

Tour Guide(s)

Registration Table

Floater

TIP: Persistence pays

Suggested Volunteer Assignments

(Traffic Control, Public Relations)

Next Steps: Prior to the Event

Recruit student volunteers Gather/make posters/signage (including the day’s agenda) Food order Roster of Needs to exhibitors/presenters Workshop description handouts School schedules to the schools Times/directions to presenters/exhibitors Raffle prizes purchased

TIP: Persistence pays

Two Weeks Before

Next Steps: Prior to the Event

Send press release out

Nametags

All signs made

Send pre-surveys to teachers

Organize post-survey package for teachers

Reminder to all participants

Send pre-survey to teachers

TIP: Persistence pays

One Week Before

Next Steps: Prior to the Event

Security at the venue (check with venue coordinator)

Let vendors know when they can set up

Final count to food vendor

Send bus contact information to school coordinator (if

providing transportation)

Make sure IT expert available day of the event

Volunteer training/instructions (if possible)

TIP: Persistence pays

One Week Before (cont.)

Next Steps: Prior to the Event

Final walk-through

Signs on tables

Include stamp pad and stamp if raffle prizes given

Signs outside classrooms

Make sure there is a registration table w/nametags,

handouts

Meet with student volunteers for training (if possible)

Day Before the Event

Next Steps: Prior to the Event

TIP: Be Prepared for School Delays

Day of the Event

Meet with student volunteers

Meet with IT support person

Meet/greet exhibitors/speakers

Be sure teachers are given post-surveys, raffle prize info

Make sure exhibitors/speakers have water

Breathe……..

(and don’t forget to have fun….)

…But don’t panic…

Relax………

Following the Event

Follow-up with teachers re: post-surveys

Follow-up with raffle-prize winners

Send thank-you notes/emails to presenters/exhibitors

Send thank-yous to volunteers

Compile pre and post survey information

Pat Yourself on the Back

For More Information

Contact:

CBIA Education Foundation 350 Church Street Hartford, CT 06103