Pipes, Prototypes, and Possibilities: M.A.D.E. Tour Energizes SHS

Beth Lanning

RACINE, OHIO — The Manufacturing Advancement Development and Employment (M.A.D.E.) Tour, through the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition (AOMC), rolled into Southern High School on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. It brought energy and hands-on learning, giving students an in-depth look at the evolving world of modern manufacturing.

The M.A.D.E. Tour featured six interactive stations designed to immerse students in real-world manufacturing processes. Southern High School students actively engaged with each station, gaining firsthand experience in key areas such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD), fabrication, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining, and robotics.

The interns running the interactive tour were college students Jaden Martin, Caleb Brown and Lukas Reed. Additionally, high school and CTE student Ethan Hartline was also part of the group. 

The power team of interns kicked off the session with a fun team-building activity. Students used sections of PVC pipe to transport a tennis ball from a starting point to a small orange crate. Standing in a line, students worked together by overlapping or connecting the pipes side by side, carefully guiding the ball along the path to reach its destination.

Students encountered several challenges during the activity, including deciding where to position the pipes and controlling the speed of the ball as it moved along the track.

The purpose of the exercise was to simulate key aspects of the manufacturing process. As students worked together to move the tennis ball, they experienced how planning, coordination, timing, and problem-solving all play a role in moving a product efficiently from one stage to the next. The activity highlighted the importance of teamwork, clear communication, and continuous adjustments—core elements in real-world manufacturing systems.

To see some of the funny moments from the game, click here.

As students rotated through the stations, they explored how innovative ideas are transformed into tangible products. From the earliest stages of digital design to the precision-driven processes of machining and assembly, each step highlighted the technology, creativity, and problem-solving skills required in today’s advanced manufacturing environments.

Some of the hands-on activities included sketching design ideas and experimenting with a small-scale version of welding using 3D pens and small pieces of wood. These activities flowed naturally from planning to creation, allowing students to turn their ideas into tangible prototypes while gaining a better understanding of the design and fabrication process. 

The experience also emphasized the wide range of career opportunities available within the industry. Students learned how engineers, designers, machinists, and technicians work together to bring concepts to life, showcasing career pathways that are both in-demand and essential to the modern economy.

“Being able to help kids get involved and manufacturing and seeing their interest in this industry is such a rewarding part of the M.A.D.E. Tour. AOMC will continue their outreach to students to try and get them the best career opportunities for them in manufacturing,” noted Brown.

By demonstrating the full lifecycle of production—design, preparation, shaping, building, and final assembly—the tour provided a clear, engaging picture of how everyday products are made. More importantly, it reinforced the idea that manufacturing is no longer just about manual labor, but a dynamic field driven by innovation, technology, and skilled professionals.

SHS Principal Mr. Daniel Otto noted that opportunities like the M.A.D.E. Tour give students a chance to see beyond the classroom and truly experience what their futures can look like.

 “By engaging in hands-on activities and working with real-world technology, they gain a deeper understanding of the skills and innovation driving today’s workforce. We’re proud to provide experiences that inspire our students and open doors to meaningful career pathways,” said Mr. Otto.

“It was a pleasure being here at Southern High School for the M.A.D.E. Tour. AOMC is proud to put hands on initiatives that help students and show them what advanced manufacturing is and help build a stronger workforce pipeline together,” said Martin.

The M.A.D.E. Tour continues to serve as a valuable bridge between education and industry, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world applications and inspiring the next generation of the manufacturing workforce.

Thanks to AOMC for the awesome, personalized clock made for SHS. 

Thanks to Project RISE for connecting SHS to such a great opportunity for our students.