Several signs have popped up that tell us spring is on the way: More daylight hours, and the emergence of early blooms like crocuses.

Another sure sign? The start of public voting for the annual “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” student video contest.

Voting in the Philadelphia Region video contest — which includes Montgomery County — launched on Wednesday, March 11, and will be followed in the coming weeks by the Berks Schuylkill and Chester Delaware contests.

What’s So Cool About Manufacturing is a video-based program that provides middle school students with a unique opportunity to connect directly with local manufacturers — developing, shooting, editing and producing a “cool” video to document their experiences. The program increases awareness of career paths and technology in manufacturing through peer marketing.

Developed in 2013 by the Manufacturers Resource Center for students in the Lehigh Valley, the program has been replicated across Pennsylvania. This year, student teams in 12 parts of the state have been partnering with manufacturers to learn about the companies and create videos that will compete first in regional contests and then statewide.

Voting is open to contest participants and the public, who may vote for more than one video and as often as they wish, according to organizers.

All teams will compete for the most votes to win the Viewers Choice Award. Judges will review the videos in 11 categories including Best CTE Story, Outstanding Editing and Outstanding Creativity, contest officials said.

Regional Contests

The contest for the Philadelphia region — which includes Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties — is produced by the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center. This is the eighth year the region has participated. Teams from seven schools in the region — including three schools from Montgomery County — have been matched with manufacturers to produce videos this year.

“We teamed them up with some new manufacturers and some companies that have participated in the past,” Hannah McGarry, director, workforce engagement, Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, said in a statement. “We have almost 75 students participating this year and I can’t wait to see what the students create to define What’s So Cool About Manufacturing!”

The videos are posted to https://www.whatssocool.org/contests/philly/ and are open for online voting from Wednesday, March 11, until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13. The winner will be announced during an awards event, scheduled for March 26, at Blue Bell Country Club.

In Chester and Delaware counties, the contest is marking its 11th year and is produced by the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties. This year, teams from nine schools have been matched with manufacturers to produce videos.

The videos will be posted to http://www.whatssocool.org/contests/chester-delaware/, and will be open to the public for online voting from 12:01 on March 18, to 11:59 p.m. on March 20. The winner will be announced during an awards event April 23 at Penn State Great Valley in Malvern.

“Manufacturing is one of the biggest industries in this region, but most students don’t even realize there are so many manufacturers locally,” Jim Lauckner of Chester County Economic Development Council’s Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties. “This program is about getting students in the door, connecting them to these companies and hopefully inspiring this generation about what a career in modern manufacturing can look like.”

In Berks and Schuylkill counties, the contest is marking its 10th year and is produced by the Manufacturers Resource Center. Teams from 33 schools have been matched with manufacturers to produce videos.

“The program’s continued success and impact can be attributed to the efforts the teachers and students have put forth, along with the many partners and community sponsors committed to building a future workforce which will in turn support economic growth and expansion in the region,” Rich Hobbs, Manufacturers Resource Center president & CEO, said in a statement.

The videos will be posted at https://www.whatssocool.org/contests/berks-schuylkill, and open to the public for online voting from 12:01 a.m. on March 25, until 11:59 p.m. on March 27. Awards will be given out April 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading.

“The potential for careers in manufacturing are demonstrated first-hand by the manufacturers and the students get excited about the possibility of working in a cool, modern environment that they may never have imagined,” Karen Buck, director of workforce initiatives for the Manufacturers Resource Center, said in a statement. “We encourage students to explore CTE and STEM education as they prepare for their high school years. The program creates limitless opportunities for both manufacturers and students.”

In May, a Best of PA event will feature videos from throughout the state. A national panel of judges will select the top three videos from contests throughout Pennsylvania. The team that receives the highest number of votes per day during each regional contest period will be recognized with the state Viewers Choice award.