Macomb Community College (MCC) has unveiled a new event, Innovate and Build, targeting high school students fresh off the heels of Manufacturing Day/Week, an engaging time designed to stir up interest in the manufacturing sector. Scheduled for October 24 at MCC's South Campus, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the initiative serves as a conduit for students to delve into manufacturing and design careers, following their recent exposure during the Manufacturing Day activities that took place from September 30 to October 4.
Designed specifically for passionate students and their parents inspired by their MFG Day encounters, Innovate and Build presents a dual-path exploration in advanced manufacturing and design; the evening will showcase disciplines ranging from machining and welding to media and communication arts, according to a report by Macomb County. Innovate and Build comes as a timely replacement for the evening segment of AutoSTEAM, which previously spanned two days and included an evening event, largely backed by the MFG Day committee but revealed a gap in timely engagement with student participants.
Laura Thero, associate dean of engineering and advanced technology at Macomb, pointed out the need for a more targeted event, "We received significant feedback from our partners on AutoSTEAM, emphasizing the need to focus on a specific target audience, offer more hands-on exhibits, create more opportunities for conversations with employers, and work with smaller groups," as per Macomb County. With these considerations in mind, Innovate and Build was born.
Thero highlighted that students often request to tour the facilities where they might study, and the college’s recently upgraded Skilled Trades & Advanced Technology Building, which reopened in August 2023 after a $45 million renovation, stands ready to fulfill this desire, "We felt a responsibility to provide students with opportunities to explore career pathways that build on the exciting experiences they had during MFGDay." Attendees will get a prime opportunity to view the state-of-the-art labs and picture their potential future as students at the college, and as Thero told Macomb County, the program is set to spark keen interest.
For high school students and their families looking to jumpstart a career in manufacturing, registering for Innovate and Build could offer an invaluable glimpse into the manufacturing and design career paths right in their own local setting. The evening promises a panel of speakers, question-and-answer sessions about college and careers, and includes the perk of free food along with the chance to win some enticing prizes.
