Last week marked an exciting milestone as we officially launched the 2025–26 What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? Student Video Contest in the Pittsburgh region with our annual teacher trainings! This year’s kickoff events were held at two different locations in the Pittsburgh region, each offering educators hands-on tools and inspiration to guide their student teams through the contest journey.
📍 Pittsburgh-Central: Tech25 Ignites Innovation
Hosted at Tech25, the Central training brought together a powerhouse team of experts who delivered immersive, hands-on insights. Educators explored best practices for mentoring student teams, learned how to highlight the human side of manufacturing, and got a sneak peek into the latest tech shaping the industry. The energy was high, and the ideas were flowing!
📍 Pittsburgh-East: JARI Center Sparks Creativity
Over in the East, the JARI Center welcomed teachers with a warm and informative session led by Paul Ruggieri, whose deep knowledge and enthusiasm set the tone for a successful contest season. Teachers left equipped with resources, strategies, and a renewed excitement for showcasing the cool factor of manufacturing.
We’re thrilled to see what this year’s student teams will create. From robotics to precision machining, from sustainability to innovation — the future of manufacturing is full of stories waiting to be told. And these students are ready to tell them. 🎥 Let the creativity begin!
2025-26 Participants
| Allegheny Valley School District | Pittsburgh Central | ZOLL |
| Apollo Ridge School District | Pittsburgh Central | Metal Solutions |
| Blackhawk School District | Pittsburgh Central | Adams Manufacturing |
| Butler Area School District – TEAM 1 | Pittsburgh Central | JV Manufacturing |
| Butler Area School District – TEAM 2 | Pittsburgh Central | Butler Technologies |
| Canon-McMillan School District | Pittsburgh Central | SMS Group |
| Chartiers Houston School District | Pittsburgh Central | Giffin Interiors |
| Deer Lakes School District | Pittsburgh Central | Hellbender, Inc. |
| Freeport Area School District | Pittsburgh Central | EPD Electronics |
| Highlands School District | Pittsburgh Central | Oberg Industries |
| Keystone Oaks School District | Pittsburgh Central | Mancinis Bakery |
| Mohawk Area School District | Pittsburgh Central | Hall Industries |
| Moon Area School District | Pittsburgh Central | Kobold USA |
| Mt. Lebanon School District | Pittsburgh Central | Haemonetics |
| New Brighton School District | Pittsburgh Central | Kenson Plastics |
| Norwin School District | Pittsburgh Central | FS Elliott |
| Shaler Area School District – TEAM 1 | Pittsburgh Central | MEPPI |
| Shaler Area School District – TEAM 2 | Pittsburgh Central | Ace Wire Spring |
| South Allegheny School District | Pittsburgh Central | Kurt J Lesker |
| Woodland Hills School District | Pittsburgh Central | Premier Automation |
| Belle Vernon Area School District | Pittsburgh East | DMI Companies |
| Connellsville School District | Pittsburgh East | Intervala |
| Franklin Regional School District | Pittsburgh East | EH-Schwab |
| Greater Johnstown School District | Pittsburgh East | J&J Truck Bodies |
| Indiana Area School District | Pittsburgh East | Clark Metal Products |
| Monessen City School District | Pittsburgh East | General Carbide Corporation |
| River Valley School District | Pittsburgh East | JWF Industries |
| Somerset Area School District | Pittsburgh East | Martin Baker Americas |