Dream it. Do it. program kicks off
December 26, 2021

Annual competition promotes manufacturing careers with students

OAK RIDGE, TN — The Anderson County Chamber, Anderson County Schools, and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) partnered to virtually kick off the annual Dream It. Do it. East Tennessee competition on Anderson County Television. The competition pairs area industries with middle schools to enable students to learn more about careers in manufacturing.

CNS, the managing and operating contractor for the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas has helped facilitate and sponsor the competition since its inception six years ago. “There are many opportunities in manufacturing at Y-12 and across the area,” said Kristin Waldschlager, education outreach specialist for Y-12. “We want to expose students to those opportunities early so they are aware of the possible career paths.”

This competition relies on area industries to partner with participating middle schools. This year, Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee, Eagle Bend Manufacturing, Clayton Homes of Appalachia, Protomet Corporation, SL TN, and Techmer PM will each host 6-8 students on site to tour and interact with employees in order to learn about the industry. Students from the six participating middle schools—Clinton, Jefferson, Lake City, Norris, Norwood, and Robertsville—will work to create a competition entry that explains “What’s So Cool about Manufacturing.” The winning entries will receive money to fund science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities at their schools.

“We are thankful that the students are able to get back inside our manufacturing industries to observe and experience each adult workforce in action,” said Anderson County Chamber President Rick Meredith. “There are exciting careers in manufacturing, and we appreciate CNS for helping us with this initiative that allows middle school students to explore careers in advanced manufacturing.”

Video of the kickoff is available on Anderson County Television’s YouTube channel. In April 2022, the public will have an opportunity to vote for contest entries on Anderson County Chamber’s website at andersoncountychamber.org.