The Community Education Center’s DISCOVER Partnership, in collaboration with Johnsonburg Area High School (JAHS) and Nichols Portland Incorporated, Wilcox (NPI), offered their Intro to Manufacturing Program to 7th-grade students. This program is designed to introduce students to manufacturing careers and processes, educate and inspire the next generation, and strengthen the future of our local manufacturing industry.

The program includes a pre-tour classroom lesson, during which students learn about the manufacturing process, as well as participate in a Cube Factory activity, acting as their own manufacturers on an assembly line. Following this, students have the opportunity to tour local manufacturing facilities in person. On April 14, 2026, Johnsonburg 7th-grade students toured NPI, Wilcox. The Community Education Center would like to thank Nichols Portland, Inc., Wilcox for their support and collaboration.

Companies interested in participating in next year’s Intro to Manufacturing Tours can contact Courtney Rieger at courtney@communityedcenter.com or call (814) 781-3437.