Nearly 1,000 8th Grade Students Take Part in DiscoverME Career Awareness Program

During the week of October 2, 2023, 946 8

th grade students across Kosciusko County engaged with education and career opportunities within advanced manufacturing through OrthoWorx’s DiscoverME (Manufacturing Experiences) program.

DiscoverME offers community- and industry-responsive curriculum and introduces manufacturing at a pivotal time when students begin thinking about high school coursework and their career interests. Students experienced classroom curriculum, a school assembly, and a one-day field trip, visiting their local career center, Ivy Tech’s Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (OAMTC), and OrthoWorx’s industry partners’ facilities.

“DiscoverME week is a highlight of the year for us industry partners. Seeing local students experience the work life inside our manufacturing facility sends only positive energy throughout the entire organization,” said Ryan Christner, Supply Chain & Logistics Manager, Medartis. “Our employees enjoy showing off our sliver of the rooted history the orthopedic industry has in our community as well as the rewarding careers it has to offer. This program has proven to be an integral part of connecting students with a career pathway as they prepare to enter high school. The group at OrthoWorx, once again, knocked this program over the fence and our community is better because of it!”

Middle school students from Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw, Wawasee & Whitko gained exposure to many different careers available within manufacturing and learned about the educational pathways to get there. Field trip industry stops during this year’s program included DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, Instrumental Machine & Development (IMD), Medartis, Paragon Medical, Polywood, Precision Medical Technologies (PreMedTec) and Zimmer Biomet.

“Pulling off a county-wide event like DiscoverME takes an army of partners and volunteers,” says OrthoWorx’s VP of Operations & Engagement, Allyn Decker. “OrthoWorx’s Talent Director, Erin Serafino, spent months planning the logistics of this three-day/multiple location industry showcase for nearly 1,000 eighth graders. Our education and industry partners and tour volunteers also deserve high praise. At one location alone, 60 presentations were given over the three-day period as students moved through the various stations. Teachers, bus drivers, chaperones, machine operators, and subject matter experts all linked arms to help make these tours so impactful and OrthoWorx is very grateful for their support.”

About OrthoWorx

Formed in 2009 with initial funding from the Lilly Endowment through the Orthopedic Capital Foundation, OrthoWorx initiatives feature community-based strategic collaborations with the orthopedic industry and other stakeholders to ensure that the Warsaw region continues to reap the social and economic benefits that derive from its position at the Orthopedic Capital of the World®.