WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderNew program exposes Eisenhower Middle School students to manufacturing

By Michael Peppers

ROCKFORD (WREX)

Manufacturing has been in Rockford's blood for a long time.  A new partnership aims to keep that blood supply pumping.

Eisenhower Middle School and TechWorks launch an effort called Pathways to Technical Careers.

Young people in this program didn't just get in. They had to work for it.  All 32 wrote an essay to qualify. The effort may have just put them on the path to a future career.

Success is the goal for each student, now nicknamed "Surgeons of Steel".   will get a closer look into the world of manufacturing thanks to the pathways to technical careers program. Students like Aaliyah Curry see success as becoming an engineer.

"This is an area that needs women in it," said Curry. "I decided why not come and be a part of this engineering career or community."

Others like Juan Carlos Salinas look forward to being able to create things.

"Building like, pieces for cars, pieces for making windows, making a house, a building," said Salinas.

The students will get to visit several places like the U of I School of Engineering and tool manufacturing plant Sandvik Coromat in Schaumburg.  TechWorks business development director David Morgan says the behind the scenes exposure could lead them to their career.

"By the time they finish they will have one great experience in the world of manufacturing and also the education that's necessary to get there," said Morgan.

Eisenhower Middle School teacher Christina Magee helped suggest the idea for the pathway program. She hopes students see the connection between their current classes and the future.

"Students have problems with visualizing why they are learning what they are learning in class," said Magee.  "This program we're hoping will allow students to see the end result of getting through that calculus class, the end result of getting through that physics class."

Students in the program have already taken a trip to Rock Valley College to see the school's technical training options.