Explore: The New Manufacturing

03/18/2026

Explore the New Manufacturing was proud to attend the EQT Nonprofit Capacity Building Bootcamp and connect with other nonprofit leaders in the region.

Our Executive Director, Monica Cross, served as a panelist during the Capacity Building Panel session. She highlighted how the EQT Foundation’s Capacity Grant has specifically enabled our organization to create a comprehensive workforce development toolbox for high school students. The panel also provided valuable perspectives on how capacity building has benefited their respective organizations.

03/12/2026

Today, Brooke High School students took part in a Workforce Development Program Mock Interview hosted at WV Northern Community College in Weirton.

Students had the opportunity to practice real-world interview skills and receive feedback from professionals representing Marsh Bellofram, Real Workforce Evolution, and WV Economic Development.

Thank you to our interviewers for volunteering their time to help students gain confidence and prepare for future career opportunities.

03/05/2026

Please take a moment to watch and share this video of our Executive Director, Monica Cross, speaking with Secretary Warner about Explore the New Manufacturing, our programs, and why we are so passionate about connecting students with manufacturing opportunities across West Virginia.

03/03/2026

🌸✨ The Spring Ornament Contest is HERE! ✨🌸

Middle & High School students — it’s time to get creative!

Create a spring-themed ornament using any materials. 💐
♻️ Bonus points for SCRAP materials!

📸 Submit a photo of your ornament using the link below for a chance to win a pizza party for your entire class!

🗓 Entry Deadline: April 10
🏆 Winner Announced: April 17 on Explore’s page

Submit your entry here 👇 or scan the QR code!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5pv9Qb70WQAyLWxvzDkpHI78Ts8Ny2QNGmD50TFZrFYZv-g/viewform

Let’s see your creativity bloom this spring! 🌼🎨

03/02/2026

🎤 Mock Interview Day for BUHS students!

On Friday, Buckhannon-Upshur High School students gathered at West Virginia Wesleyan College to participate in mock interviews as part of the Explore Workforce Development Program — gaining valuable real-world interview experience and professional feedback.

A huge thank you to Wesleyan and our industry partners who volunteered their time to invest in these students:

✔️ Saint-Gobain
✔️ STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc.
✔️ Wendling’s Foodservice
✔️ Weyerhaeuser

Experiences like this help students build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and better prepare for future careers right here in West Virginia.

We are so grateful for our manufacturing partners who continue to show up for students in meaningful ways. 👏

02/23/2026

💕✨ The results are in! ✨💕

Congratulations to our Judges’ Choice Winners in the Explore Valentine’s Ornament Contest!

High School Winners
🥇 1st – Owen K., Philip Barbour High School CTE
🥈 2nd – Robert M., Mason County Career Center
🥉 3rd – Paityn C., Philip Barbour High School CTE

Middle School Winners
🥇 1st – Celeste N., Frankfort Middle School
🥈 2nd – Lillian C. & Eli R., Terra Alta/East Preston School
🥉 3rd – Isabella, Dustin, Addison, Aubrionna, Cannon, Jaise & Jacob, East Fairmont Middle School

We are so proud of every student who participated. The creativity this year was incredible! 💘

02/19/2026

❤️✨ People’s Choice Winners Announced! ✨❤️

The votes are in for our Valentine’s Ornament Contest, and we are excited to share this year’s People’s Choice Winners!

🏆 High School Winner: Samuel C
Samuel earned the most votes with his beautifully detailed man and woman ornament.

Samuel shared:
“I designed the model within a free 3D design software, then 3D printed it. After it was done I glued a red pipe cleaner along the edges and tied a gold string to hang it by.”

What an incredible blend of design, technology, and creativity!

🏆 Middle School Winner: Avery K
Avery captured hearts with her stunning heart ornament design.

Avery shared:
“My ornament was made out of soda can tabs that were shaped into a heart.”

Such a creative and resourceful design!

👏 Thank you to everyone who voted and supported our students. Join us in congratulating Samuel and Avery in the comments below!

02/16/2026

We received some AMAZING submissions for this year’s Valentine’s Ornament Contest in both our middle school and high school divisions! ❤️✨

Now it’s your turn to help us choose the People’s Choice Winner!

Click the link below to view the entries and cast your vote 👇

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdeFCNk89tQ9nsizk3ssFb07-ZMnrYsMMhPuCPO-6HfbYT-A/viewform

02/07/2026

💙💙💙

02/02/2026

A little creativity turned into a big celebration! 🍕🎉

The winner of our Middle School Holiday Ornament Contest earned a pizza party for her class, and these smiles say it all. We love seeing students rewarded for their hard work and imagination!

01/24/2026

The Guyan Valley Middle School team is hard at work on their entry for the Explore Student Video Contest! The team recently made their second trip to Alcon Research Ltd. to tour the facility, conduct interviews, and capture more footage for their project.

From suiting up to stepping behind the scenes, these students are getting a firsthand look at advanced manufacturing in action while telling the story through their own lens. Experiences like this are what the contest is all about — real students, real manufacturers, and real-world learning.

We can’t wait to see the final video they put together!

01/15/2026

Wheeling Park High School students are preparing for their Manufacturing Innovation Challenge! Thank you, East Coast Metal Systems, for supporting this program each year!

It's that time of year! 🛠️ Last week, we welcomed back students from Wheeling Park High School as they prepare for the annual Manufacturing Innovation Challenge through Explore: The New Manufacturing.

Over the next several weeks, these students will tackle the challenge of solving a real-world dilemma that we are currently facing at . Our team is always happy to support a program dedicated to inspiring West Virginia students to pursue careers in manufacturing! 💪🏻