Twenty-three schools took part in the event held Thursday that was organized by the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier and Dream It Do It of Western New York, JCC, the Chautauqua County Education Coalition, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the New York State Technology and Engineering Educators Association. A career fair was also held with approximately 25 businesses from around the region. The event has been held at JCC for five years.

“The challenge is using your STEM skills and that knowledge,” said Carly Abbate MAST director of industrial services.

She also said the event is an excellent way for high school students to reach out to potential employers.

“A lot of the manufacturers are looking to hire and it is a great opportunity for (high school) seniors to network especially because they can get a job out of school,” she said.

Students demonstrate their skills in a robot challenge during the annual STEM Wars at JCC. P-J photo by William Mohan

Attending manufacturers at STEM included Fancher Chair, Chautauqua Chemicals Company and Anderson Precision. Manufacturers and businesses in attendance included Cummins Inc. and Allen Industrial Sales of Falconer. Administration staff from JCC were also on hand to answer questions regarding potential enrollment. The goal of the event was to recruit and identify future manufacturing workers in the county. The job fair and demonstrations lasted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Abbate first welcomed the students to the event. She then welcomed Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello who then spoke to the students.

Borrello opened the event by speaking on the importance of the manufacturing industry in the region. He also explained that the students are the future of industry in the Southern Tier.

“This is exciting You have an opportunity here to show us your skills,” Borrello said. “This is the future of technology, manufacturing and of Chautauqua County.”

Students then heard from Coorine Case, JCC executive director, regarding the potential to attend the school’s classes free of charge. She explained that JCC offers the ability to do so through the Workforce Readiness Scholarship.

Students admire a demonstration diesel engine from Cummins of Jamestown. The demonstration was part of STEM Wars at JCC. P-J photo by William Mohan

The scholarship has been established by JCC in cooperation with MAST and offers financial coverage of pre-paid books, in-state tuition, fees, and program supplies to students who are enrolled into programs offered at JCC’s Manufacturing Technology Institute locations at the Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses.

The scholarship is designed for high school graduates in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties in New York. Students in Warren, Forest, Potter, McKean, Elk and Cameron counties and Corry and North East in Erie county who are eligible.

During recruitment, recipients are matched with manufacturers for part-time employment, a paid internship or an apprenticeship.

Following Borrello’s discussion, students arranged exhibits of various kinetic, mathematic, technological and scientific projects. These included Rube Goldburg machines, pinewood derby racing, robot challenges and motor demonstrations.

Additionally some employers also came with samples of products in their manufacturing lines. Cummins of Jamestown demonstrated a diesel engine unit and Allen Industrial Sales of Falconer had a trailer on display.

For more information on upcoming STEM events visit didiwny.com or call 484-1101.