Pete Petoniak from WLUK was the emcee for the NEW Manufacturing Alliance’s 9th annual Get Real Video Premiere at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay on October 3, 2023. This was the debut of the newest installment of the Alliance’s Get Real Math and Get Real Science videos. Plus, new this year, the organization debuted an employability skills video called ‘How to be successful in the workplace.’ Ten companies are featured in this video giving a tip on employment success. The skills featured in the video are related to the Wisconsin Department of Instruction’s Youth Apprenticeship’s Employability Skills certificate.
Ann Franz, executive director of the organization stated, “The concept of the videos came from a math teacher participating in the Alliance’s K-12 task force.” Franz added, “She was looking for a tool to show students how the curriculum she was teaching is used in the real world.” In 2014, five videos were created to answer the questions students often ask, “When am I ever going to use this in the real world?” The free educational videos include a teacher lesson plan and spotlight real-world problems at manufacturing companies. To date, there have been over 70 Get Real Math! Videos created. In 2021, the organization debuted Get Real Science videos.
Unlike most movie premieres, it is not the stars of videos that are recognized, but rather the educators. At the event signage stating “Educators are the stars of our community” is displayed and teachers walk down the red carpet to have their pictures taken. Numerous prizes are given away, including $500 cash awards to math and science departments and a Miller Electric Millermatic 211 welder ($1,900 value). In addition, a $500 cash award will be given to a school guidance office. Special thanks to WTEA for being a sponsor of the event.
Companies featured in this year’s videos are: Alliance Laundry Systems, EMT International, and KI. The following companies are featured in the ‘How to be successful in the workplace’ video: Alliance Laundry Systems, Georgia-Pacific, Green Bay Packaging, Heartland Label Printers, KI, LaForce, Marine Travelift, Nicolet Plastics, Packer Fastener and Sargento Foods.
The Get Real Math & Science Premiere is one of many events the Alliance sponsors as part of Wisconsin’s October is Manufacturing Month. Other events include the 13th annual Manufacturing First Expo & Conference at the Resch Expo on October 25, 2023. There will be over 200 exhibitors with over half being manufacturing companies located in northeast Wisconsin. For more information go to www.manufacturingfirst.com.
NEW Manufacturing Alliance will also host the 12th annual Excellence in Manufacturing/K-12 Partnerships Awards dinner at the Resch Expo on October 24, 2023. This year’s winning schools are Appleton West High School, Fond du Lac High School, Green Bay N.E.W. School of Innovation, Oshkosh Area School District, Seymour Community School District, Two Rivers High School and Wabeno High School. Manufacturing companies recognized for their partnership with education include Advanced Tooling Specialists, Amcor Flexibles, Miller Electric Mfg. Co., Samuel Pressure Vessel Group, Team Industries and Walker Forge. To purchase tickets to attend the event go to: https://NEWMA2023Awards.eventbrite.com.
To see the Get Real Math & Science Videos and further information to register for October NEW Manufacturing Alliance events, go to www.newmfgalliance.org. Please contact Ann Franz with questions regarding the events at 920-606-7691 or email ann.franz@nwtc.edu.
