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Manufacturing
Page 16 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Building the Next Generation of Manufacturers — It’s up to ALL of us!

FOCUSING ON IT. MAKING CONNEC- COME SEE IT: STUDENT AND CAREER
TIONS ABOUT IT. SHARE IT. DAY – SEPTEMBER 22, 2025
One of the ways we focus on building Productivity helps promote (and encour-
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the next generation is hosting private tours for age) today’s generation — and even OUR
schools and robotics teams at Productivity to generation – to look at what they can DO to make
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highlight why they should consider Manufactur- a difference and even carry on legacies is by sup-
ing Pathways. We participate in Career Fairs to porting Manufacturing Education. One of the
reach students, as well as Educator Conferences ways we do so is through our Biennial Machine
(https://www.ghaasfoundation.org/confer- Tool Show called “Oktoberfest” and by devoting
ences) to encourage teachers to keep on making the first day TO Education by holding an event
a difference in the future of manufacturing by called “Oktoberfest Student/Career Day” in
continuing to share their passion for the industry which we invite High School (including Admin-
through many networking and continuing educa- istrators and Counselors) and Post-Secondary
tion opportunities. students to come and explore Manufacturing
A way we can ALL share the great future in Careers by showing them the latest (and greatest)
manufacturing (and trades) is to promote and/or technology in Manufacturing, as well as connect
host a Manufacturing Day Tour/event as part of students with Industry during the event. Student/
the Statewide Tour of Manufacturing. Last Fall Career Day is coming up September 22 and plan-
I was on the panel for a webinar series to promote ning is underway!
the Statewide Tour through the Minnesota State At Productivity we don’t MAKE things,
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Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence. but we sell, service, train and support the
Hope Riska, Productivity Inc you drive, the clothes you wear, and even the
Education & Events food you consume, manufacturing is at the core Although October is generally Manufacturing machines and companies that DO!
of our everyday experiences. It’s everywhere Month, hosting a tour (large or small) doesn’t
DESIGN IT. MAKE IT. SELL IT. SERVICE IT. — everything we see, feel, hear has been manu- have to be in October — you can open your doors
MANUFACTURING: “IT” IS EVERYWHERE! factured — it shapes everything we interact with. to students and your community anytime! Why
not reach out to your local community and invite
When you think about the things that make We are ALL responsible in encouraging the them to visit your school or company? If WE
your daily life easier, you may not always realize next (and current) generations to keep IT going! don’t reach out, how will people know about the
how much of it is the result of manufacturing. Today’s generation is all about making a differ- GREAT opportunities that await through careers
From the smartphones in your pocket to the car ence, being sustainable and let’s face it . . . THEY in manufacturing?
are responsible for the FUTURE.

A Dynamic Teaching Duo and Cutting Edge Technology at

Pine City High School

machine can cut any type of
metal including aluminum up
to 4x4 feet in size, and up to
about 3/8 inch thick material.
The machine uses what is called
Computer Numeric Controlled
(CNC) technology which can
take any shape, symbol, graphic,
etc. and convert into what is
referred to as g-codes. Within
seconds, hundreds of lines of
g-codes are created into precise
tool paths and other functions
for the plasma cutter to perform.
The plasma cutter has a 45 amp
cutting tool which uses a com-
bination of compressed air and
an arc (which is simply a short
electrical circuit) to pierce and
cut the material in whatever it experiential learning and skill development. fishing, hunting, and champions a hands-on
is programmed to do. The 4 x With nearly 50 years of combined educational approach in his teaching, blending traditional
4 table is filled with a combi- expertise, the team spearheads initiatives that and modern tools.
nation of water and a cutting empower students to personalize their educa- Tim Schlichting boasts military tank-
Pine City Public Schools solution which prevents smoking and rust tion journey. driving skills. He teaches CNC Plasma cutting
Students at Pine City High School have from forming while it cools the dross created Jared Eichten is known for his knack and 3D printing, fondly recalls high school
been able to learn some cutting edge tech- from the cutting process. for fixing anything. He teaches the renowned hockey victories, and recommends techni-
nology which is widely used in industry In the realm of Career and Technical Pine City wood duck project and recom- cal manuals. Embracing both traditional and
today. The Career and Technical Education Education (CTE), Pine City High School’s mends “Hatchet” and “The Car” to students.
department recently purchased a plasma arc Department stands as a fantastic example of Hailing from St. Croix Falls WI, he enjoys Continued on Page 18
cutting table with Perkins Grant funding. This