Troy is one of only two districts in the state that now have a federally backed curriculum for their students.
The Michigan Manufacturers Association has partnered with LIFT, the Department of Defense-supported national manufacturing innovation institute, to launch the IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing curriculum at Troy Athens High School.
Funded through a $1 million appropriation from the state Legislature in 2024, the pilot program brings curriculum and equipment to students in an effort to strengthen talent in high-demand technical careers.
“The IGNITE curriculum allows students to learn by doing, and that hands-on approach makes learning more meaningful and impactful,” said Mike Munaco, career and technical education director at Troy. “We are proud to be among the first in the state to offer it.”
The program is built around three integrated components:
Materials Science: Students explore the properties and applications of advanced materials through modules rooted in both technical and core academic subjects.
Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Processes: Interactive multimedia learning and virtual simulations bring manufacturing systems to life through three foundational courses.
Capstone Projects: In their final year, students apply their knowledge in team-based projects that solve real-world manufacturing problems using emerging technologies.
IGNITE curriculum students show off their new equipment.
Photo courtesy TSD
“The introduction of the IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing program at Athens High School represents an important advancement in our ongoing efforts to align education with the evolving needs of industry,” said Superintendent Richard Machesky, “This partnership ensures that our students have access to state-of-the-art technology and experiential learning opportunities that prepare them to contribute meaningfully to Michigan’s advanced manufacturing sector.”
Originally developed in 2018 with input from industry leaders and funding from the Department of Defense, IGNITE has already served more than 37,000 students nationwide. In addition to Athens, the program is also being introduced at Delton Kellogg High School in Delton, Michigan.