With the theme “Innovation Amplified,” Stihl celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp from July 23 through 26. The camp provided hands-on learning experience to 30 high school students at the company’s manufacturing facility in Virginia Beach.
“This camp not only promotes local manufacturing but also introduces students to STEM career opportunities they might not otherwise explore or fully understand,” said Courtney Addison, senior manager of talent development at Stihl Inc. “By immersing themselves in how Stihl Inc. operates, students gain valuable insights that can guide their pursuit of careers in manufacturing. Some of our past campers have gone on to major in engineering at esteemed universities, while others have chosen a more hands-on path through our apprenticeship program. Regardless of the route, both offer opportunities to thrive in the manufacturing sector.”
The free four-day program provided high school students with experience in process planning, budgeting, and product quality while emphasizing hard work and collaboration. Specifically, teams of students designed and built Bluetooth speakers using Stihl components which fostered teamwork in a competitive environment for this next generation of innovators.On the final day, teams put their manufacturing process to the test and competed in a competition before a panel of prominent local judges, including Michael Berlucchi, Virginia Beach City Councilman; Kathy Byron, Deputy Commissioner, External Affairs at Virginia Works; and Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, President of Virginia Peninsula Community College. Members of the winning team, Team Lorange – BellaGrace Chavez, Caleb Deaver, Jordyn Espy, Lily Jones, Joseph O’Neal, and Namish Shah – were awarded $1,000 in