[Image above] Screenshot from the virtual field trip to Ohio Stoneware, organized by the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation. Credit: Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation(opens in new tab), YouTube
This past summer, I flew back to my home state of Iowa to attend the reunion of the Coe College Physics Department(opens in new tab). The tight-knit department welcomes alumni back every few years for several days of networking and building tours, allowing us to catch up on all the recent initiatives taking place at our alma mater.
The new engineering physics major(opens in new tab) was a main point of discussion at this year’s reunion. This major, which launched during the 2024–25 academic year, was designed to provide physics students with more hands-on experiences that are directly applicable to local businesses. These experiences will ideally allow graduates to enter the workforce more easily after graduation, thereby supporting the need for “well-rounded(opens in new tab)” manufacturing talent across the state.
Of course, making potential students aware of the many regional job opportunities is key when promoting the new major. Professor Mario Affatigato said that the department talked with many local businesses when developing the major, and the lack of awareness among students about manufacturing careers was a persistent challenge for employers.
This lack of awareness about modern manufacturing is a challenge for companies across the U.S. That is why, for the past decade, The Manufacturing Institute(opens in new tab) has organized Manufacturing Day(opens in new tab) on the first Friday of October to help more people appreciate the benefits of manufacturing in their communities.
Touring local factories(opens in new tab) is one of the best ways for students to learn about manufacturing careers. However, traveling to the site can be logistically challenging, which is why virtual tours are a good middle ground for educators looking to provide their students with real-world experiences.
The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation has helped facilitate such experiences by partnering with two Ohio-based manufacturers, The Belden Brick Company (Canton) and Ohio Stoneware (Zanesville). Recordings of the live-streamed virtual field trips are posted on YouTube and can serve as a great activity for educators this Manufacturing Day!
Credit: Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation(opens in new tab), YouTube
