The Manufacturers Resource Center announces the ninth year of “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” in Berks and Schuylkill counties, where MRC promotes CTE and STEM education in middle school communities. The program heightens awareness for young people to be exposed to various manufacturing career paths.

Participating schools and the featured manufacturers they are paired include:

Mahanoy Area Jr./Sr. High School — Hydro.

Tamaqua Area Middle School — Hexcel Corp.

The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” student video contest provides seventh and eighth graders a unique opportunity to connect directly with local manufacturers as they use their curiosity and creativity to develop, shoot, edit and produce a “cool” video to document their experiences. The contest is spearheaded by Manufacturers Resource Center. “MRC is proud to bring What’s So Cool About Manufacturing to the Berks and Schuylkill area for its ninth year” said Rich Hobbs, MRC president and CEO.

Student teams will partner with manufacturers in 12 regions across Pennsylvania this year, where videos will compete first in regional contests and then in the annual Statewide Awards in Harrisburg. The statewide program is spearheaded by Manufacturers Resource Center.

Student teams from 30 Berks and Schuylkill County middle schools are partnering with 30 area manufacturers to produce their video submissions.

All videos will be posted on the “What’s So Cool” website WhatsSoCool.org, and will be open to the public for voting March 19, 2025, for the Viewers Choice Award.