2575 Students in 35 Counties to Tour 95 High-Tech Industries for National MFG Day in FL on Oct. 3

TAMPA, Fla. - Sept. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- FLATE (http://www.fl-ate.org/), the Florida-based National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence and its partners that include Manufacturers Association of Florida, Regional Manufacturers Associations and Florida TRADE, have planned a massive statewide outreach campaign to celebrate National Manufacturing Day in Florida. This year, as in last year, FLATE’s Manufacturing Day initiative is set to enable, support and document statewide participation in the “Made in Florida” high-tech industry tours for students across Florida on October 3, 2014 and any additional tours conducted during the month of October.

To date 95 high-tech industry tours for 2575 middle and high school students have been finalized in 35 counties across Florida with many more to be added between now and October 2014.The attached news release outlines an in-depth look at tours that have been finalized so far in counties across Florida. More information on tours and county proclamations visit http://madeinflorida.org/manufacturing-day.

To date 95 industry tours have been finalized in 35 counties across Florida with many more to be added between now and October 2014.St. Petersburg College, Florida Gateway College and Tallahassee Community College will each host an open house on site. Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) in coordination with Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council and Middleton High School in Tampa are hosting a screening for the “American Made Movie”. GCSC is also hosting an event “Honoring Military in Manufacturing”. Below is an in-depth look at tours that have been finalized so far in counties across Florida. In-depth information on statewide tours by county and county proclamations will be posted at http://madeinflorida.org/manufacturing-day

The official guide to organizing Manufacturing Day open houses is available at www.MfgDay.com. For local/Florida based manufacturing day events, visit the “Made in Florida” site at www.madeinflorida.org. Here you can access resources that answer common questions and outline steps that every Manufacturing Day host will find useful, such as:

Joining FLATE’s “Made in Florida” tours letter (http://madeinflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MAN-D...)

Download Industry Tour List (http://madeinflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Websi...)

“Made in Florida” Industry Tours for Students – Sign Up and Information Request Form (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WR8NBBT)

Florida Manufacturing Day Flyer (http://madeinflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MFG-DAY-2014-Flyer-large.jpg)

SAMPLE county commission proclamation for Manufacturing Day (http://madeinflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Manufacturing-Day-Proclamation-HILLSBOROUGH.doc)

FLATE MFG Day Resources (http://flate.pbworks.com/w/page/80127038/Planning%20for%20MFG%20DAY%202014%20in%20Florida%20-%20WEBINAR)

This year FLATE has also developed curriculum for elementary as well as 7^th-10^th grade students. FLATE will pilot these lessons as part of Manufacturing Day 2014. Elementary, middle and high schools are welcome to access these resources which are posted on FLATE’s Wiki (http://flate.pbworks.com/w/page/10889505/FrontPage) and use it to raise awareness about high-tech manufacturing careers in Florida.

For more information on tours and/or to participate in FLATE’s statewide 2014 Manufacturing Day in Florida outreach efforts visit http://madeinflorida.org/manufacturing-day on the “Made in Florida” site, or contact Desh Bagley, FLATE outreach manager at bagley@fl-ate.org/813.253.7838 and Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director at barger@fl-ate.org/ 813.259.6578. For press related inquiries contact Janice Mukhia, communications specialist at mukhia@fl-ate.org/813.259.6581.

FLATEis a National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence, committed to ensuring Florida has a well prepared workforce for advanced and emerging technologies. Created in 2004, FLATE is one of 42 Advanced Technological Education Centers in the United States funded by the National Science Foundation focused on improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and training to meet the needs of American advanced technology industries. For more information, visit www.fl-ate.org.