Public Invited to Tour Facilities, Experiment with State-of-the-Art Equipment
Manufacturing is vital to our state, to our nation and to our world. But what exactly is it? How does it affect you? And how can you get involved?
The LSU College of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering will be answering these questions—and more—on Friday, October 7, during an open house event from noon until 5 p.m. in the Engineering Lab Annex on the university’s main campus.
The free event invites the public, particularly students of all ages, to drop by anytime during the designated timeframe to learn about manufacturing, tour the engineering manufacturing facilities, and experiment with state-of-the-art equipment, like 3-D printers.
“Manufacturing is one of the areas in which the U.S. is trying to regain its prominence,” said Dimitris Nikitopoulos, chair of the mechanical engineering department. “Our state is also working to expand the manufacturing sector. We are strong in manufacturing and we have industry, but the idea is to diversify it.”
This diversification, he said, will spur job growth at all levels, and in turn, boost economic development. “Which means the population has a better chance of making a good living,” he added.
The LSU event is one of hundreds of events scheduled across the country in honor of Manufacturing Day. The federally recognized day is designed to address common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show what manufacturing is—and what it is not.
By working together to boost the public’s knowledge and awareness of manufacturing through these events, leaders can begin to address the shortage of skilled labor, connect with future generations and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry.
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For more information, contact Sydni Dunn at sydnid@lsu.edu or at 225-578-5706. To learn more about Manufacturing Day, visit www.mfgday.com, or follow along on social media using the hashtag #MFGDay16.