Stihl heads back to summer camp
The next generation of manufacturing stars get hands-on experience.
Stihl Inc., the outdoor power equipment manufacturer, recently hosted its seventh annual Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp.
Held at Stihl’s campus in Virginia Beach, Va., the free camp was developed with in collaboration with Dream It. Do it. to promote careers in modern manufacturing. High school students at the camp receive hands-on experience in technology-based projects.
Through an essay application process, 29 high school students ranging from Virginia Beach to Richwood, Ohio were selected to participate.
During the four-day camp, students learned to build LED desk and dome lamps out of Stihl components. Participants also worked in small teams to develop technical, production, and budgeting skills to find the most efficient way to construct prototypes. Through this challenge, students completed every step of bringing a product to market – from time studies and building electronics to marketing products to the judges.
“At Stihl, we recognize the ongoing skilled trades gap in the United States and across the globe,” said Lorraine Wagner, director of manufacturing at STIHL Inc. “We believe by creating opportunities for students to learn about manufacturing, we grow awareness that will lead more young people to pursue these important skills-driven career paths.”
On the final day, five teams competed to determine the best process to manufacture and assemble as many lamps as possible in a short time period. Each member of the winning team received a scholarship of $1,000 from the Virginia Industry Foundation.
"We wouldn’t have won if it weren’t for all of us. It was a team thing. Everyone had a job to do and stuck to the plan. We were very innovative, finding an easier way to manufacture our lamps and make our process more efficient,” said Yosef Woods, a rising senior at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, Va. and member of the winning team, Team Bright.
Held at Stihl’s campus in Virginia Beach, Va., the free camp was developed with in collaboration with Dream It. Do it. to promote careers in modern manufacturing. High school students at the camp receive hands-on experience in technology-based projects.
Through an essay application process, 29 high school students ranging from Virginia Beach to Richwood, Ohio were selected to participate.
During the four-day camp, students learned to build LED desk and dome lamps out of Stihl components. Participants also worked in small teams to develop technical, production, and budgeting skills to find the most efficient way to construct prototypes. Through this challenge, students completed every step of bringing a product to market – from time studies and building electronics to marketing products to the judges.
“At Stihl, we recognize the ongoing skilled trades gap in the United States and across the globe,” said Lorraine Wagner, director of manufacturing at STIHL Inc. “We believe by creating opportunities for students to learn about manufacturing, we grow awareness that will lead more young people to pursue these important skills-driven career paths.”
On the final day, five teams competed to determine the best process to manufacture and assemble as many lamps as possible in a short time period. Each member of the winning team received a scholarship of $1,000 from the Virginia Industry Foundation.
"We wouldn’t have won if it weren’t for all of us. It was a team thing. Everyone had a job to do and stuck to the plan. We were very innovative, finding an easier way to manufacture our lamps and make our process more efficient,” said Yosef Woods, a rising senior at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, Va. and member of the winning team, Team Bright.
