300 Energized Students Competed in Hands-On Manufacturing Activities and Networked with Industry Professionals at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's (MassTech) Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) welcomed 300 students from 11 schools across Massachusetts to its annual MassMakes Innovation Challenge. This year's event provided students with project-based challenges and networking opportunities with professionals in the manufacturing sector.

Students participating in this year's MassMakes Innovation Challenge came from Innovation Career Pathways programs in central and western Massachusetts. The event included a robotics challenge and a hands-on competition that leveraged manufacturing best practices. The students also engaged with leaders from manufacturing industries such as robotics and photonics.

"Massachusetts remains a manufacturing powerhouse because we invest in our students, giving them hands-on learning opportunities and early exposure to rewarding career pathways," said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. "The MassMakes Innovation Challenge is a powerful example of how the state is connecting students, educators, industry leaders, and statewide partners to inspire the next generation of makers."

"The MassMakes Innovation Challenge highlights the innovation and teamwork that define both our students and our state," said Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Ph.D. "I love coming to this event each year because it showcases Massachusetts' commitment to connecting young people across the Commonwealth with opportunities in high-demand industries and inspiring the next generation of leaders in manufacturing."

The MassMakes Innovation Challenge hosted students representing the following schools across central and western Massachusetts:
• Agawam High School
• Amherst-Pelham Regional High School
• Gateway Regional High School
• Monson High School
• North Brookfield Public Schools
• Northbridge High School
• Springfield High School of Science and Technology
• Springfield Central High School
• Springfield Conservatory of the Arts
• Westfield High School
• West Springfield High School
"The MassMakes Innovation Challenge is a way for students to gain insight in manufacturing by working together to solve engineering challenges," said CAM Director Lily Fitzgerald. "In addition to showcasing the creativity of our students, the event brings together educators, industry professionals, and statewide leaders to strengthen our state's future manufacturing workforce."

About the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at MassTech
The mission of the Massachusetts Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) is to foster the most complete, collaborative, and agile manufacturing ecosystem, to enable business growth from innovation through production. CAM is a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), a public economic development agency tasked with supporting business formation and growth in the Commonwealth's tech and innovation sectors. CAM provides a path for manufacturing growth through a connected, accessible ecosystem that supports innovation, workforce development and a business-friendly environment. CAM managed programs include the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), the MassBridge manufacturing training program, and the massmakes.org portal. Learn more at cam.masstech.org.