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ProtoCAM: Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping.

ProtoCAM in the Community: Teaming Up w/ Nitschmann MS for the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Contest

April 28, 2021
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    • “ProtoCAM's best attribute is their attention to detail and customer service. Their willingness and desire to keep in touch with me is impressive, and physical walkthroughs ensure quality standards are being met.” — Todd Frick, Versatek
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“So what’s so cool about manufacturing, students? The answer is you are. Every single one of you. Each one of you is the most important product of the Lehigh Valley manufacturers, because you, students, are our future workforce.” – Nancy Dischinat, Executive Director, Workforce Board Lehigh Valley

 

SteelStacks in Bethlehem

ProtoCAM teamed up with Nitschmann Middle School in the 2021 student video contest, “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Local manufacturers worked together with 18 middle school teams from Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon counties to create videos demonstrating how manufacturing can be fun and interesting, as well as a viable career choice. Upon completion, the videos were then put to a public vote and judged on a number of categories. ProtoCAM also served as a Silver Sponsor of the event.

ProtoCAM worked with students from Nitschmann to create a video demonstrating the latest technologies and innovations at ProtoCAM. The goal of the video contest is to “excite students to explore cool manufacturing careers and produce profiles of companies throughout Pennsylvania.” This year’s contest had an added challenge, as students worked virtually with their manufacturers to develop video concepts and exchange creative assets in new and exciting ways.

This is the eighth iteration of the popular event, and ProtoCAM’s sixth year participating. 18 schools and manufacturers participated for 2021 in the Lehigh Valley contest. Videos were created earlier this year, and over 206,000 votes rolled in from April 7th though the 9th at the “What’s So Cool” website for the coveted Viewers’ Choice award.

Nischmann MS student team

At the virtual Lehigh Valley awards event filmed at ArtsQuest SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA, all of the videos and participants were showcased. The Lehigh Valley contest awards show was also broadcast live on WFMZ-TV and streamed like at www.WFMZ.com. Awards in various categories were presented, including the Career Pathway Award, Outstanding Creativity, and Outstanding Team spirit. In previous years, ProtoCAM & our middle school teams have been thrilled to win Outstanding Educational Value, Outstanding Team Spirit, Outstanding Editing, and 3rd in most overall public votes. Though our team did not take home a win in one of the categories this year, we were still so proud of our students and all the hard work they did on this project!

We would like to thank everyone who voted for ProtoCAM and Nitschmann, and to recognize all the students and companies who contribute their ideas and innovations to this contest each year. ProtoCAM looks forward to participating again next year!

For more information about this awesome event and to view all the videos and award winners, visit https://www.whatssocool.org/contests/lehigh-valley/. To learn more about the history of the contest, check out our case study.

Check out ProtoCAM and Nitschmann’s video, as well as the full awards ceremony below!