This summer, we brought together 17 passionate and highly engaged educators from across the region for our Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy – a three-day journey into the innovations shaping today’s manufacturing and technology landscape. Through expert panels, hands-on activities, and behind-the-scenes tours, teachers explored how cutting-edge industry practices can inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.
Day 1 – July 30th @ Mill 19
We kicked things off at the iconic Mill 19, where history meets the future of manufacturing. Educators heard from Catalyst’s own Matt Minner who is an expert in Industry 4.0 technologies followed by an inspiring panel featuring leaders from Motional, Omnicell, The Barnes Global Advisors, and SKC, Inc. Their insights into automation, advanced materials, and workforce trends set the tone for the week.
The day continued with a hands-on activity led by Assemble, followed by a tour of Mill 19 hosted by our friends at the CMU Manufacturing Futures Institute. To close out the day, the Consortium for Public Education guided teachers through an interactive session on translating new industry knowledge into impactful classroom experiences.
Day 2 – August 6th @ CCAC Allegheny Campus
Our second stop took us to CCAC’s Allegheny Campus, where a panel featuring experts from Kobold, Aerotech, Inc., and Advanced Construction Robotics shared their perspectives on innovation, automation, and the evolving skillsets needed in manufacturing.
Educators participated in a hands-on robotics session from BotsIQ and toured CCAC’s impressive manufacturing training spaces in the CEIT building. The Consortium for Public Education returned for another practical session, helping teachers connect industry insights to real-world curriculum. The day wrapped up with a fascinating visit to the Moonshot Museum, where space exploration meets manufacturing and STEM inspiration.
Day 3 – August 13th @ Digital Foundry
Our final day at the Digital Foundry in New Kensington featured a panel with leaders from Hellbender, Inc., Penn United Technologies, Bayer, and ZOLL—each offering unique perspectives on advanced manufacturing, medical device production, and automation.
The CMU Robotics Academy hosted an engaging hands-on session focused on machine vision, while the Digital Foundry team showcased their collaborative, high-tech facility through interactive demos. The Consortium for Public Education led a culminating activity where educators created concept posters mapping out how they’ll implement Industry 4.0 concepts in their own classrooms.
The Academy concluded with a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting at Pittsburgh Brewing Company’s cutting-edge automated manufacturing facility—a perfect example of how tradition and technology can work hand-in-hand.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy was more than just a professional development program—it was an opportunity to connect educators directly with the people, technologies, and innovations shaping the future of work. We can’t wait to see the ripple effect in classrooms across our region as these teachers inspire their students to imagine, create, and lead in the next industrial era. Interested in participating in our academy in the future? Stay tuned for 1-day sessions in the fall to be announced soon!