Page 5 - Industry tours for students_1506344_1

The overall goal FLATE, the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center of Excellence, was established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2004 to help develop a skilled and qualified workforce for Florida’s manufacturers; our high-tech industry tour program is part of our outreach effort. The goal of this project is to introduce middle and high school students in grades 7 through 12 to the work of modern manufacturing in facilities using advanced technologies, provide opportunities for direct contact with the people in the plants, stimulate student interest in the wide variety of supporting technical careers, and encourage enrollment in the essential technology programs available throughout the state of Florida. An important objective for the tours is to raise student awareness and promote a positive image about careers in modern manufacturing in Florida. In a comparison study of student attitude change using a post tour survey, cumulative data (2004-2014) for collected surveys shows a 32% positive change in strongly agree and agree responses toward consideration of a career in high tech manufacturing after the tour (n = 3,340). Pre-tour We strongly suggest a pre-tour visit of the site in order to give you an idea of what the students will see. Look at it through their eyes. Check how long it takes you to make the walk through (could you be in and out in 20 minutes?) in addition to any introduction management may want to give. We have been in many high-tech operations which produce some outstanding products, many of which you can’t see because of environmental barriers on the floor or due to areas in the plant not open to the public. This is done to either protect proprietary parts in the manufacturing process, the equipment used to make them, or because they are a defense contractor (everyone will need to have Legal US Residency to be allowed in). Through experience, the younger the group, the more activity the better…they are magnetically attracted to automated robotic lights and action. Additionally, ask the facility tour guide or team to prepare an orientation presentation for your group. Some facilities may have a formal PowerPoint or video which they typically show, but an informal short speech letting students know about the facility and its products, processes, and personnel is also effective. You may wish to offer some guidance for this orientation, especially if your chosen facility personnel are excited about the tour, but inexperienced with school groups. 5