For the third straight year, students in Chester and Delaware counties were partnered with area manufacturing companies to create videos highlighting what makes manufacturing a “cool” career choice. 

A total of 14 middle schools participated in this year’s event and the videos were judged by a panel of experts in various categories as well as open to online voting for the Viewers’ Choice award.

Organized by the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties (MACC/DC), an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) and Delaware County Community College (DCCC), the Student Video Contest: “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” (WSCM) gives students the opportunity to connect directly with local manufacturers, document their experiences and present them in an educational and “cool” way through documentary video production.

The contest was created to generate excitement that draws students toward considering manufacturing career paths.

“We are very impressed by the success of the Student Video Contest. The program is spreading across the state of Pennsylvania and throughout the country, and we are excited to be part of that,” says Patti VanCleave, Project Manager at Chester County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC).  “Our manufacturers and sponsors are the backbone of our program and we are grateful for their participation this year.”

Project costs were funded and made possible by the following:

• Premier Sponsor; CCRES
• Gold Sponsors; Aerzen USA, ifm effector, Infiana, John Rock Inc., Malvern Bank, and ONExia
• Silver Sponsors: DCCC, and Kreischer-Miller.

On March 6, an awards ceremony was held at the Penn State Great Valley Campus.  The Viewers’ Choice winner garnered a record 46,000 votes and the other awardees included the following:

• Outstanding Manufacturing Message – Kennett Middle School at Aerzen USA
• Outstanding Editing – Springton Lake Middle School at Penn Machine Works
• Outstanding Videography – Valley Forge Middle School at ifm efector         
• Outstanding Creativity – Radnor Middle School at New Way Air Bearings
• Outstanding Marketing Plan  –  Lionville Middle School at ONExia, Inc.
• Viewers’ Choice – JR Fugett Middle School and USSC Group

All of the student produced videos can still be viewed online at https://www.whatssocool.org/contests/chester-delaware/.