Londonderry Middle School Students Win Manufacturing Video Contest

CONCORD, NH — A team from the Londonderry Middle School won the third annual What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contest. Gov. Chris Sununu, R-NH, announced the top three winning teams via video on March 7, 2017, according to a press statement, which included Winnisquam Regional Middle School in second place and North Hampton School in third.

“More than 68,000 people are employed in advanced manufacturing in our state, producing 21st century technology,” he said. “Students producing these videos are providing a great introduction to an important industry and inspiring them to think about opportunities they can pursue as a career.”

The contest, coordinated by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, pairs middle school students with local manufacturers for a look into the manufacturing process.

“The What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contest is a unique and fun introduction for middle school students to explore advanced manufacturing, an industry that drives the New Hampshire economy,” said Jeffrey Rose, commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. “These students are beginning to think about their future and the contest is a great way for them to consider manufacturing as a career opportunity.”

The Londonderry Middle School students worked with KMC Systems of Merrimack to give their take on advanced manufacturing. Winnisquam Regional Middle School students, working with Watts Water Technologies in Franklin, earned second place and North Hampton School students, collaborating with Squamscot Soda in Newfields, placed third. The schools will receive $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively, provided through sponsorships by BAE Systems and Velcro Companies.

Participating schools and manufacturers included: Lancaster Elementary and Trividea Manufacturing Solutions; Kearsarge Regional Middle School and Hypertherm; Kingswood Regional Middle School and Winnipesaukee Chocolates; Hampstead Middle School and IMED1 and a second team from North Hampton, working with Wall Industries.

Establishing a pipeline of talent is important to the state's manufacturers, said Zenagui Brahim, president of NHMEP.

“Our manufacturers are eager to connect with their future workers, so this contest is enables them to meet some of the students who may well be their future innovators,” he said.

Sununu’s video announcement and link to the videos are available at blog.nheconomy.com.

Planning for the next What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? video contest is underway; for more information, contact Lorna Colquhoun at the Division of Economic Development, info@nheconomy.com.

Submitted by Lorna Colquhoun.