Students visit Schott Glass after participating in contest
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — A local manufacturing company sponsored an innovation challenge to inspire high school students and attract a new generation of employees.
Schott North America in Duryea initiated its first innovation creation contest. The company opened the challenge to high school students nationwide to entice students to create new ideas.
a dozen students submitted entries, two are from the same class in Lackawanna County.
Abington Heights and Career Technology Center students take a tour of Schott Glass in Duryea after participating in the company’s first-ever innovation creation national contest. Participants were encouraged to submit an original idea that utilizes glass to improve everyday lives.
“What we want to do is plant the seed in students so that they can start with an innovative idea, take that to fruition, get into the manufacturing sector, and put that into the world for people to use and make their lives better,” said Bill James V.P. Research and Development.
Shay Daniels from Abington Heights High School and the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County won first place for her idea.
“It’s a surgical instrument and it uses glass gamma radiation to destroy cancer cells,” says Daniels.
The third-place prize was awarded to Thomas Burke. He’s a senior at Abington Heights and the Career Technology Center. The 18-year-old submitted an idea that entailed an electrically charged glass window that could display still or animated videos.
“I was very happy. it might not be first or second, but I still got 3rd place and I still won. I still got something. I was very proud of myself. my family was proud of me,” added Burke.
CTC’s automated manufacturing instructor, Deane Baker, issued the contest as a class assignment.
“I helped some of the students with their ideas, but as it turns out they’re not the ones who won. Thomas and Shay did it on their own,” stated Baker.
The idea behind the contest was to inspire the next generation of manufacturing workers. according to Schott, 20% of its workforce is retiring in the next five years, leaving a skills gap that needs to be filled.
“What we wanted to do was attract young talent and really get an interest in all of the manufacturing jobs. Here in NEPA, there’s quite a bit of opportunity for jobs in the manufacturing sector,” explained James.
Schott manufactures glass products from viles to optics, endoscopes, and more at six facilities across the country.
Manufacturing jobs in NEPA are growing and are very attractive to students.
The development of the Casey Highway has opened up a ton of space for companies. 28/22 News had done a tour recently of the Casey Highway to see all of the industry that’s up there, not just there currently, but all the plans for future business. It’s pretty impressive to see the magnitude of what’s coming.
The automated manufacturing program at CTC of Lackawanna County started three ago
As for the contest winners, Shay Daniels won a $1,000 cash award. Thomas Burke took home a $250 award and the $500 second-place prize went to J’cier Santana from Worcester Technical High School.
All three were also given an interview pass that automatically gives them an opportunity for a job interview at Schott.
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