About 600 middle school students from throughout the Northwoods came to Nicolet College and visited area businesses during the Heavy Metal Tour. During the day, students took part in numerous hands-on activities in Nicolet labs and classrooms and also toured area manufacturing plants.
Dual Credit Coordinator Sarah Gruber says the Tour is in it's sixth year at Nicolet...
"....it's an opportunity for 8th grade students around the district to learn more about manufacturing opportunities we have around the Northwoods. So we partner with local manufacturers and the students are able to tour the different facilities and they get a chance to tour our manufacturing programs here on campus. They're learning about different pathways to get into those manufacturing careers...."
Gruber says 8th grade is a good age to get kids thinking about future jobs....
"....the earlier the better that we can expose students to these types of careers. Now all the schools are required to to academic and career planning and I think this event fits into this initiative...."
Nine manufacturing businesses in Oneida and Lincoln counties gave the students tours of their facilities. Gruber says the students were enjoying seeing what the facilities have to offer along with a free lunch and trivia.
