The Penn College Workforce Development polymers team recently attended the Da Vinci Science Center’s Manufacturing Career Connection Day in Allentown. More than 500 students attended from Lehigh Valley schools.
With roots dating back to 1992, when Lehigh University formed the Science Model Area Resource Team, the Da Vinci Science Center officially opened the doors to a new home in 2024, where it continues to connect people with real-world science in ways that are meaningful and memorable.
Reagan G. McCoy (left), Penn College Workforce Development program manager, polymers, talks with Kate Hartney (center), director of development for the Da Vinci Science Center, and Sarah Lutz, assistant executive director of Workforce Board Lehigh Valley during the Da Vinci Science Center’s Manufacturing Career Connection Day in Allentown.
Its Manufacturing Career Connection Day is part of a broader Career Connections Initiative that introduces students to careers in STEAM fields, allowing them to share experiences with professionals and industry leaders in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
“Hundreds of middle school students spent the day meeting employers, exploring career pathways and participating in hands-on activities that show how science and engineering concepts are used every day in manufacturing,” said Tamara Krizek, director of marketing and sales at the Da Vinci Science Center.
Penn College Workforce Development introduced participants to the basics of polymers through thermoforming, a manufacturing process that uses heat and pressure to mold plastic into a desired shape. Its mobile thermoforming unit, made available through support from PPL Foundation, provided an opportunity for hands-on learning.
“We’re fortunate to have this mobile unit to take to events like this that allow us to fully introduce students to the world of polymers and plastics processing,” said Angelo N. Fattore, Penn College Workforce Development regional industry relations officer. “They could create their initials or a paw print by heating up a sheet of plastic, melting it, pressing it into a vacuum and forming their shape.”
The activity was a perfect fit for the mission of the Da Vinci Science Center.
“It takes a scientific process and makes it interactive and understandable for students,” Krizek said. “Activities like this let students experience problem-solving, technology and creativity firsthand, reinforcing our goal of bringing science to life while introducing them to careers they may not have considered.”
With a focus on supporting the polymer workforce in the region, Fattore said educating the community on the importance of polymers includes reaching a younger audience.
“There are 2,500 jobs in the Lehigh Valley and 48 companies – 38,000 jobs in the commonwealth,” he said. “We want people to understand that it’s not the plastics of the past. There is a lot more focus on sustainability. With an aging workforce, it’s important to get the next generation excited about opportunities in the polymers industry.”
The Penn College Workforce Development Polymers Lab is a leading resource for education, training and technical support across the plastics industry. Serving manufacturers, resin suppliers, mold builders and equipment providers, the lab offers access to advanced material-testing capabilities, industrial-scale processing equipment and world-class training facilities.
Programs range from hands-on workshops and customized training to apprenticeships and online learning, all designed to strengthen skills in areas such as extrusion, injection molding, rotational molding, thermoforming and related processes. In addition to training, the lab provides technical assistance and consulting services to help companies improve operations and innovate. To learn more, call 570-327-4775 or email wdpolymers@pct.edu.
Penn College offers a bachelor’s degree in polymer engineering technology and an associate degree in polymer technology. Both boast 100% overall job placement.
For information about those and other majors in the School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520 or visit www.pct.edu/et.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.