From What’s So Cool About Manufacturing®
Celebrating nine years in Berks and Schuylkill counties, the 2025 “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing®” Student Video Contest welcomes 31 manufacturers and middle school teams. Since its inception, this local contest format, created by the Manufacturers Resource Center, has been replicated by 16 regional contests and adopted by stakeholders in 11 additional states. Top state officials have recognized the program, and dozens of sponsors continue to support “What’s So Cool,” making it possible year after year.
The program’s goal is to increase awareness of manufacturing careers by showcasing “What’s So Cool” about today’s technology and career opportunities at manufacturers right here in our region. Student teams produce a two-minute profile video of their partnered manufacturer and create an outreach plan, strategizing how to share their final video with their school community. All videos will be posted on the “What’s So Cool” website (WhatsSoCool.org) and will be open to the public for voting from March 19-21, 2025, for the Viewers Choice Award. The Berks Schuylkill Awards Event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading.
The program’s continued success and growth are attributed to the efforts the teachers and students have put forth in the community since its inception. MRC and its partners Berks Business Education Coalition, eMediaWorks, Kutztown Small Business Development Center, Sahl Communications, Inc., and many community sponsors remain committed to the sustainability of the program.
Educational media resources, technology, professional media training, materials, and project costs were funded and made possible by the following:
Technology Sponsor: Berks County Workforce Development Board.
Event Sponsor: American Crane & Equipment Corporation and Reading Truck.
Platinum Sponsors: Berks County Industrial Development Authority, Customers Bank, East Penn Manufacturing Company, EMD Electronics, Penn Community Bank, and Univest Financial.
Gold Sponsors: Carpenter Technology Corporation, County of Berks, Fulton Bank, Hexcel, Hydro, M&T Bank, Materion, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Reading Area Community College, Tompkins Community Bank, and Weidenhammer.
Silver Sponsors: Aerotek, Ashland Technologies Inc., Big B Manufacturing Inc., Blaschak Anthracite, Brentwood Industries, Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC, Cardinal Systems Inc., Clearly Clean, Dochterman Insurance, Eagle Metals, Fromm Electric, Gage Personnel, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Penn State Berks, Reading Bakery Systems, and Sweet Street Desserts Inc.
Bronze Sponsors: Berks Career & Technology Center, Berks County Intermediate Unit, PhytogenX, Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Schuylkill County Intermediate Unit, and Schuylkill Technology Center.
Media Sponsors: BCTV, Lamar, Lehigh Valley Business Journal, Reading Eagle, and WFMZ 69 News.
Visit WhatsSoCool.org for more information and follow along on social media @WSCMBerksSchuyl.
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Source: bctv