From Manufacturers Resource Center
Celebrating 10 years in Berks and Schuylkill counties, the 2026 “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing®” Student Video Contest welcomes 33 manufacturers and middle school teams. Since its inception, this local contest format, created by Manufacturers Resource Center, has been replicated by 16 regional contests and adopted by stakeholders in 12 additional states. Top state officials have recognized the program, and dozens of sponsors continue to support “What’s So Cool,” making it possible year after year.
The program’s goal is to increase awareness of manufacturing careers by showcasing “What’s So Cool” about today’s technology and career opportunities at manufacturers right here in the region. Student teams produce a two-minute profile video of their partnered manufacturer and create an Outreach Plan, strategizing how to share their final video with their school community. All videos will be posted on the “What’s So Cool” website, WhatsSoCool.org, and will be open to the public for voting March 25-27 for the Viewers’ Choice Award. The Berks Schuylkill Awards Event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading.
The program’s continued success and growth are attributed to the efforts that the teachers and students have put forth in the community since its inception. MRC and its partners, Berks Business Education Coalition, eMediaWorks, Kutztown Small Business Development Center, Sahl Communications Inc., and many community sponsors remain committed to the sustainability of the program.
Educational media resources, technology, professional media training, materials, and project costs were funded and made possible by the following:
Technology Sponsor: Niagara Bottling.Event Sponsor: Reading Truck.Platinum Sponsors: American Crane & Equipment Corporation, Berks County Industrial Development Authority, Berks County Workforce Development Board, Customers Bank, East Penn Manufacturing, and Univest Financial.Gold Sponsors: American Polarizers Inc., Carpenter Technology Corporation, County of Berks, Cresa, EnerSys, Fulton Bank, Hexcel Corporation, Hydro, M&T Bank, Materion, Reading Area Community College, Sweet Street Desserts Inc., Tompkins Community Bank, Viwinco Inc., and Weidenhammer.Silver Sponsors: Aerotek, Alvernia University, Ashland Technologies Inc., Berks County Department of Agriculture, Big B Manufacturing Inc., Blaschak Anthracite, Brentwood Industries, Dynegy, Eagle Metals, Fromm Electric, Gage Personnel, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Mrs. T’s Pierogies, Northeast Prestressed Products LLC, Omnitech Automation Inc., Penn State Berks, Penske Racing Shocks, pladis, Reading Bakery Systems, R. M. Palmer Company LLC, Schuylkill County, Solar Innovations LLC, and The Rose Corporation.Bronze Sponsors: Berks Career & Technology Center, Berks County Intermediate Unit, PhytogenX, Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Schuylkill County Intermediate Unit, and Schuylkill Technology Center.Media Sponsors: BCTV, Lamar, Lehigh Valley Business Journal, Reading Eagle, and WFMZ 69 News.
Visit WhatsSoCool.org for more information and follow on social media @WSCMBerksSchuyl.
About “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing®”
Developed by the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC), the WSCM program is a video-based educational tool that increases awareness of career paths and technology in manufacturing through “peer marketing” (kids telling kids what’s so cool about manufacturing jobs). The contest is showcased on the What’s So Cool Website and shared nationally through the Manufacturing Institute and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership platforms. The Lehigh Valley contest has expanded across the Commonwealth and the country.
The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” comprehensive manufacturing video library was created by MRC and WSCM PA in 2020 and funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PADCED). The interactive library of the who’s who in Pennsylvania manufacturing, garnered from the yearly regional contests, is intended to serve as an educational resource for anyone curious about manufacturing in Pennsylvania. The library can be accessed through the WhatsSoCool.org website and contains almost 1436 student videos featuring over 700 Pennsylvania manufacturers.
This contest allows students to connect with local manufacturers, document their experiences, and present them in an educational and “cool” way. The contest was created to generate excitement that draws students towards manufacturing career paths and CTE and STEM education. Original funding for “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” was furnished by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PADCED).
About Manufacturers Resource Center
For 35 years, the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) has helped small and mid-sized manufacturers become more competitive, adopt lean and agile processes, strategically grow their companies, and invest more effectively in their existing human capital. MRC is a nonprofit organization partially funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s NIST-MEP program and the State of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development. MRC is dedicated to creating jobs and economic opportunities in eastern Pennsylvania’s Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties.