What's Up in Factories?
15 November 1999
FEATURE/What's Up in Factories?
NEW YORK--Nov. 12, 1999--In Middle And High Schools, Takes Teachers And Their Students
Into The Dynamic World Of Modern Manufacturing
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA)
Funds Project For Second Year
The business of manufacturing has come a long way since the Model T rolled off the world's first assembly line at Henry Ford's automobile plant. In the traditional factory, new ideas and new methods were generally implemented by supervisors and managers. Today, mass production is a team effort, where even the line workers are being asked to come up with ideas and innovations to improve the quality of the product and make their jobs more efficient. Through Thirteen/WNET's WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES? project, young people are learning about the many opportunities for a challenging and rewarding career in manufacturing.
WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES? is a unique, experiential curriculum package designed to educate middle and high school students about manufacturing by first training their teachers and guidance counselors in innovative ways to present the subject in the classroom. The focal point of the package is a lively, 30-minute video on manufacturing, from its early history to state-of-the-art trends today. It also includes a teacher's resource guide, complete with student worksheets and activities, and a colorful poster depicting the new world of manufacturing.
Launched in 1994 by Thirteen/WNET New York, the national initiative replaces the flat, black-and-white textbook accounts of manufacturing with action-oriented classroom activities appropriate for technology, social studies and mathematics classes. As part of their preparation, teachers tour local manufacturing facilities to observe modern production techniques that have transformed the factory workplace, and are provided a step-by-step plan for arranging subsequent tours for their students.
The teacher workshops, as well as the teacher and student tours, are coordinated by local public television stations and community groups, and are funded by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA), the exclusive underwriter of WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES? since 1998.
This year, teacher workshops are being held at two sites: Greater Dayton Public Television with a site tour of Honda of America, Inc. in Anna, Ohio, on December 6; and The East Central Illinois Workforce Development Commission in Rantoul, Illinois, with a site tour of Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America in Normal, Illinois, on December 8.
"This curriculum is just one example of how Thirteen continues to be at the forefront of a revolution in American education, using technology to create relevant, hands-on experiences in and out of the classroom," said Ann Mauze, Director of Thirteen's Educational Outreach, which developed and presents WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES? workshops. "Manufacturing is ubiquitous in our daily lives, integral to individual communities, and intrinsic to the global economy. It's important for everyone to have at least a basic understanding of manufacturing. WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES? offers students that and much more."
"Manufacturing has changed dramatically in recent years. More than ever before, the industry offers a wealth of career possibilities, including jobs for non-college bound individuals as well as managers, engineers and designers," said Yoshihiro Yano, Deputy General Director of JAMA USA. "We're pleased to support a project that, literally and figuratively, opens the doors of manufacturing to young people at a time when they are thinking about their futures and the careers they might choose."
By the end of the 1999/2000 school year, more than 1,300 teachers will have been trained, impacting about 200,000 students. The project has been so successful that several higher education facilities, including the College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College), the University of Southern Colorado and the University of Northern Colorado have incorporated the materials into their curricula. Other universities have used the materials to show high school teachers how to prepare their students for undergraduate business management studies.
Curriculum packages for WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES? are available through Great Plains National, (800) 228-4630, for $59.
The national outreach for WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES?, including teacher workshops and student tours, is coordinated by Thirteen/WNET in cooperation with local public television stations and community organizations, and funded this year by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.
Sandra Sheppard is executive producer of the WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES? video. Jill Peters is producer. Ann Mauze is Director of Educational Outreach and Mari Cossaboom is Director of Thirteen's Outreach Services. Robert Miller published the teacher's resource guide.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) is a non-profit trade organization established in 1967. It is committed to contributing to economic development and social welfare worldwide by creating employment opportunities and fostering related industries, as well as providing consumers with high quality products that meet their needs. As manufacturers, JAMA's members wholeheartedly support the goals of WHAT'S UP IN FACTORIES?: offering teachers and students innovative ways of learning about new trends in manufacturing, career opportunities in their communities, and the impact of manufacturing on society. More information about JAMA can be found at www.japanauto.com.
Thirteen/WNET New York is one of the key program providers for public television, bringing such acclaimed series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters and Charlie Rose - as well as the work of Bill Moyers - to audiences nationwide. As the flagship public broadcaster in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metro area, Thirteen reaches millions of viewers each week - airing the best of American public television along with its own local productions such as City Arts, City Life and Reel New York. With educational and community outreach projects that enhance the value of its productions, Thirteen takes television "out of the box." And as broadcast and digital media converge, Thirteen is blazing trails in the creation of Web sites, CD-ROMs, educational software, and other cutting-edge media products. More information about Thirteen can be found at: www.thirteen.org.