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Spartanburg Area Students Receive Design Challenge Awards

Submitted by: Karen Owens on Jun 02, 2009 at 5:57 pm Tagged with: Education, Manufacturing Source: Silver Crescent Foundation

Columbia, SC – The Silver Crescent Foundation presented awards to students in the Spartanburg area for their winning designs in the Discover Manufacturing Design Challenge.

Jose Resendiz, a 7th grader at Fairforest Middle School in Spartanburg was selected as the 3rd place winner for his tote bag design. On June 1st, Jose was presented a check for $100 for his participation and winning design in the contest.

On April 14th, Gail Her, a 3rd grader at Fairforest Elementary School in Spartanburg was awarded a check for $100 for her third place calendar design. Gail received her award from Sharon Halsey, the Silver Crescent Foundation’s Design Challenge Coordinator.

Both designs are featured in a calendar which will be distributed to state manufacturers and business leaders at the annual Salute to Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on September 22nd at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (www.simt.com) in Florence.

The Silver Crescent Foundation coordinates the program with the assistance of the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technology Education, in partnership with the Regional Career Specialists, and SC Regional Education Centers and Regional Career Specialists. State level judges selected the finalists in their respective categories from the 12 regions that participated in the competition.

The Design Challenge is one of several programs the Foundation uses to help people “Discover Manufacturing.” Students in grades 1 – 12 learn about the important role manufacturing plays in the state. Then competitors are challenged to create graphic designs portraying a dynamic, positive image of manufacturing and its impact on local communities. The competition’s goal is not only to foster career exploration by young people, but also exposure them to jobs that rely on workers with strong science, math, engineering and technology skills.

Designs were produced either free hand or mechanically. Elementary school students created designs which will appear on a calendar, middle school students designed a tote bag, and high school students designed a T-shirt. Three winners will be chosen in each category, with first, second and third place winners receiving scholarships of $400, $200 and $100, respectively. In addition, the sponsoring teacher of the first place winner in each category will be awarded $300.

State level judges selected the finalists in their respective categories from the 12 regions that participated in the competition.

The Silver Crescent Foundation promotes manufacturing vitality and career opportunities in South Carolina. The Foundation is committed to helping people of all ages and backgrounds Discover Manufacturing as it works to build the workforce pipeline of the future. To learn more, visit www.silvercrescentsc.org.