Explore the New Manufacturing announced today that Sara Slatcoff has been recognized with an Outstanding Industry Educator Award. A physical science teacher at Spring Mills High School, Slatcoff has mentored Project Lead the Way pre-engineering students in Explore’s Manufacturing Innovation Challenge for the past three years. In 2022, her team earned the challenge’s Best in West Virginia award. Slatcoff will receive a $500 award for classroom enhancement. She will also be presented with a commemorative wooden plaque and gift basket featuring products made in West Virginia.  

“Sara Slatcoff is a dedicated educator who motivates and guides her students to understand that science is fun. She perfectly fits the description of this award,” said Executive Director Monica Cross, who oversees the Explore the New Manufacturing efforts to create student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the training opportunities for these positions in their local areas. “The Explore team has been impressed by Slatcoff’s student teams, and we are happy to count on her as an educational partner.”

The Outstanding Industry Educator awardees are making positive impacts in the classroom. Student success is often the result of a dynamic teacher who inspires pupils to work harder to pursue a rewarding future. Awardees have championed students in multiple Explore the New Manufacturing events and in Career Technical Education endeavors.

Slatcoff’s award is part of Explore’s Emerging Elite in Manufacturing and Outstanding Industry Educator awards. Launched in 2020, the awards celebrate the skills and dedication of students and educators across West Virginia.  Profiles of all award recipients will be available on the Explore the New Manufacturing website after they have been announced. https://www.exploremfgwv.com/awards

Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the  Nothern Region Manufacturing Innovation Challenge Award was presented to Wheeling Park High School for their project with East Coast Metal Systems. The company challenged the students to develop a cost-efficient method of recycling 16-foot wooden pallets which are used to ship metal sheets.

“We could tell a lot of thought and research went into the solution they ended up with,” stated Kyle Sowinski, Senior Project Manager for East Coast Metal Systems. “The team described the process as starting with many different solutions but then filtered it down to one that they believed would work best for our specific situation.“

Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the  Kanawha Valley Region Manufacturing Innovation Challenge Award was presented to Putnam Career & Technical Center for their project with Toyota West Virginia. The company challenged the students to develop a method for preventing a potential ergonomic issue in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) installment process of the Short-Block Sub-Assembly at Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV).  The PCTC team is comprised of Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering students.

Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the winners of the Explore Student Video Contest Kanawha Valley Region. Middle school teams were judged on the creation of a 3-minute video about their manufacturing partner, the employees, and cool aspects of the company.

The FIRST PLACE  recipient of the Best Manufacturing Message Award is Guyan Valley Middle School for their video about Blenko Glass Company.  Guyan Valley’s winning video showcases Blenko Glass’ iconic water bottles and how they are made. 

Wheeling, West Virginia, March 4, 2024 – Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the winners of the Explore Student Video Contest northern region. Middle school teams were judged on the creation of a 3-minute video about their manufacturing partner, the employees, and cool aspects of the company.

The FIRST PLACE recipient of the Best Manufacturing Message Award is Moundsville Middle School for their video about Tecnocap, LLC. Moundsville's winning video showcases Tecnocap, LLC metal closures and how they help make food products safe.