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Introduction Interested in taking a group of students on a field trip to a local advanced manufacturing facility? The Industry Tours for Students Guide will provide the necessary tools and sample materials needed for a successful hi-tech tour. Inside this guide are details that should to be considered, covered or dismissed depending upon school and individual needs. Since 2004, FLATE has introduced nearly 3,500 students, along with their teachers and parents to the world of modern manufacturing. We at FLATE do not claim to have all the answers, but if what we’ve learned helps another organization have a successful field trip then we are successful too. The purpose of this guide is to assist in the planning of a Middle & High School tour to a manufacturing facility. However, this material can be applied to field trips to other locations. We hope this guide will be of help to your field trip experience. What are the benefits of visiting hi-tech manufacturing facilities? It helps build the pipeline of STEM workers, which we need to, do in the US. We need to get more kids interested in STEM careers of all kinds, and better prepare them for these careers, earlier in their education. The tours relate STEM to the real world, and ideally include lessons before and after the tour to maximize the impact of the experience. FLATE looks forward to hearing your feedback and ideas about the materials in this guide and your experience using them. Special thanks to our generous hosts; our program would not be a success without them. A few quotes from our industry partners about FLATE’s Made in Florida Industry Tours and programs observe: “The tours have been an essential factor in showcasing the integration of various skill-sets in a manufacturing facility, intricacies of manufacturing processes, and how everything is inter-connected. The MIF [Made in Florida] tours have also served as a vehicle in underlining the importance of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering in securing high-wage, high-skill jobs.” - Valpak “Education is the key to being able to work in an exciting industry such as aerospace. Focusing on STEM and continuing college education will give students a competitive edge in securing next generation, high-tech jobs.” Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne “The Made in Florida outreach campaign has been an effective vehicle in enhancing technology education, and giving students an opportunity to develop a passion for technology.” - EEI Manufacturing Services Please contact us at: 813-259-6577 or barger@fl-ate.org. Learn more about FLATE and our Made in Florida outreach campaign at: www.fl-ate.org and www.madeinflorida.org 3