By LAURA HAMMACK, guest columnist
One of the hallmark programs initiated within the “Ready Schools” grant from the Regional Opportunity Initiatives Inc. is the Brown County High School student-run business, Eagle Manufacturing. Last week, I was proud to join the student managers of the business and one of their teachers, Mr. Townsend, in French Lick at the Regional Opportunity Initiatives Inc. Annual Report to the Region.
At this meeting, where hundreds of business, community and education leaders gathered to share in the success stories of the Indiana Uplands region, the “employees” of Eagle Manufacturing, Mr. Townsend and I were asked to lead a breakout session. You can imagine the amount of pride I held for our students and staff being seen as leaders of such an innovative practice.
Eagle Manufacturing, for those who may not be familiar, is a student-run manufacturing business functioning within the walls of Brown County High School. Eagle Manufacturing is unique from any other program within our school district as it is genuinely a self-sustaining business where students are the employees and the teachers serve as consultants. The program benefits from an advisory team of students, educators, administrators and volunteer community members with significant experience in business administration to assist with support and guidance of the program.
The business sustains three departments: engineering, CNC and graphics. Each department manager coordinates orders and prioritizes the work for the day. Student employees are trained how to use sophisticated machinery including CNC milling, 3D printing, laser engravers, graphic printers and beyond. The mission of the business is to prepare students with life and technical skills for success after graduation.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Eagle Manufacturing holds great value for our region. When students are engaged in this business, they are developing skill sets that will translate in every option that may be of interest to them in their post-secondary career. From entering the workforce upon graduation from high school, to advancing to a four-year institution of higher learning, and every option in between, Eagle Manufacturing develops skill sets that are meaningful for everyone.
We want our students to understand that there is great opportunity in the Indiana Uplands region. By engaging in career awareness experiences like those afforded by Eagle Manufacturing, our students are exposed to in-demand/high wage careers in the areas of life sciences, advanced manufacturing and defense. We understand, now more than ever before, it is the responsibility of the schools to prepare students for success in the region, and this is realized through programming like Eagle Manufacturing.
Brown County Schools are driven to positively impact economic prosperity in our region by growing thinkers and learners who evidence competencies that are needed in the 21st century workplace. This summer, student employees in the Eagle Manufacturing business have an opportunity to work as “interns” through the Conexus Intern Program.
Traditionally, this program places students in businesses across the state for summer work to boost student interest in manufacturing. Conexus is working specially with Brown County Schools to pay our student employees to work this summer in their Eagle Manufacturing business. Students will be able to earn $9 an hour and can work up to 240 hours. Because of the Conexus program, Eagle Manufacturing is officially open for business this summer!
As you can imagine, this program is something that makes Brown County High School very special. Eagle Manufacturing has been discussed at the state level as a model for secondary educational innovation. If you are interested in learning more about the program, the students are hosting an Open House tonight — Tuesday, April 23 — from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brown County High School. Please join us! You won’t be disappointed.
Eagle Manufacturing is a program for which our entire community should stand proud. It’s amazing what happens when adults get out of the way of young people. I am looking so forward to witnessing the growth of this program over the next few years.
Congratulations to Eagle Manufacturing on almost a year’s worth of business. And thank you to the Regional Opportunity Initiatives Inc. for inspiring this work during our “Ready Schools” grant process.
The best is yet to come!
Laura Hammack is superintendent of Brown County schools. She can be reached at 812-988-6601 or [email protected].
