This fall, Monument once again joined forces with Meade County Schools in Kentucky to spark curiosity and open doors for the next generation of engineers, technicians, and innovators. Through two hands-on events – the Manufacturing Expo and Tech Connect – Monument team members helped local students see that exciting, rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing are not just possible, but happening right here in their own community.

Sparking Curiosity at the Manufacturing Expo

On October 2, Monument team members joined other local companies at the Meade County College and Career Center’s Manufacturing Expo, designed for students ages 9-12. The goal: make science and manufacturing real, relevant, and fun.

Each company led an interactive demonstration tied to their work. Monument’s team guided students through two lively chemical experiments, including one that showcased real-time chemical reactions. The activities gave kids a chance to see chemistry in action – and to start asking questions about how products are made and who makes them.

“Events like this open the door for conversations,” said Tonya Jeffries, HR Manager at Monument’s Brandenburg, KY site. “The kids will ask, What do you do at Monument? and suddenly they can picture themselves in those roles – whether it’s an engineer, a chemical operator, a lab tech, etc.”

The event, now in its fourth year, has become a favorite among students and volunteers alike. Past experiments have included examining microorganisms from Monument’s wastewater treatment system and creating bouncy balls from special mixtures – all designed to show the real-world science behind manufacturing.

“I always say, if they can see it, they can BE it,” said Lori Collard, Coordinator of Technical Education & Career Development for Meade County Schools. “As an example, when they meet a female engineer or someone who grew up in their same community working in these fields, it makes a huge difference. Kids notice that.”

Teamwork in Action at Tech Connect

Later in the month, Monument also played a major role in the Tech Connect event on October 24, which brought together students from three area schools for a day of technical challenges, collaboration, and fun.

This year’s theme – “The Amazing Race” – invited teams made up of students from all three schools to complete hands-on challenges testing both their technical and soft skills. From operating drones to racing to put on PPE gear, students discovered that success in technical fields requires not only know-how but also teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.

Monument helped plan the day, facilitated two activity stations, served as judges, and sponsored seven stations.

“We want to go beyond the typical career fair where students just read pamphlets,” Lori said. “This is about giving them an experience – something that sticks with them and gets them thinking about what’s possible.”

In addition to the races, students joined roundtable discussions about their future career goals and ideas for new technical pathways, such as robotics and digital media.

“The ‘amazing race’ style really brought their soft skills to life,” said Tonya. “They were learning to work with new people, share ideas, and step up as leaders – all while having fun.”

Building Connections Beyond the Classroom

Both events have grown stronger each year, with Monument’s consistent participation helping make them possible from the very beginning. But the impact goes beyond just the students; it’s about the whole community.

“One of my favorite things that came out of Tech Connect this year was seeing companies connect with each other,” said Lori. “I saw many a conversation between companies about how they can partner on other programs to reach even more students. That’s key, because together, we can do so much more for our kids and our community.”

As students worked side-by-side – then sat down together for lunch and conversation – something powerful happened: barriers broke down. Kids who were shy at the start of the day were soon sharing ideas, cheering each other on, and seeing themselves as part of something bigger.

“It’s not just about building interest in careers,” said Lori. “It’s about building confidence, collaboration, and leadership – the skills that will help these students succeed no matter what path they choose.”

From science experiments that fizz and pop to challenges that build teamwork and communication, Monument’s partnership with Meade County Schools is helping young people imagine themselves as future scientists, engineers, operations team members, and problem-solvers.

And for the Monument team, there’s no better investment than that!