LIFT Sponsors UPrep Students Attendance at Inegr8 Conference and Meeting with Lt. Governor

As bonus to hosting 100 UPrep Science and Math High School students in the LIFT Learning Lab each day, LIFT sponsored the students’ attendance at Automation Alley’s Integr8 conference in Detroit recently.

The students were able to tour the exhibit floor, meet with manufacturers and sit in on a number of sessions to hear experts discuss the world of advanced manufacturing and its transition to “Industry 4.0.”

The highlight of the day was the students’ exclusive meeting with Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist.

LIFT is providing the students with its IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing curriculum in LIFT Learning Lab, including its Fundamental Skills Development Lab, Virtual Learning Lab, and Material Science Lab.

IGNITE, developed by a national partnership led by LIFT and supported by funding from the Department of Defense, is a three-year foundational competency-based educational program for the “multi-skilled technician” needed in today’s workplace. The new curriculum will introduce students to advanced manufacturing materials, processes and systems through on-line, interactive, multimedia and project-based learning built around real industry challenges.

Gilchrist shared his career experiences and how programs like LIFT helped him get his start at large companies and eventually opening his own business.

“The reason I was able to do that was because of programs like this,” Gilchrist said. “So, I want to encourage you to be creative and encourage you to get other people involved”

with them before opening the floor to questions and discussed what they learned while at the conference.