Outstanding Manufacturing Students

In January 2023, GCAMP launched the Outstanding Manufacturing Student Award program to celebrate future makers and creators. GCAMP hopes to use this award program to showcase the accomplishments of manufacturing students throughout the Chicago area.

Applications are judged by manufacturing professionals based on the following criteria:

1. The student's passion for and commitment to the manufacturing field;
2. The student's career plans and goals;
3. And, if the student has overcome any obstacles on their journey.

Outstanding Manufacturing Student award winners receive a $500 cash prize and are honored at the VIA Spark awards.

Outstanding Manufacturing Educators

Also in January of 2023, GCAMP launched the Outstanding Manufacturing Educator Award program to celebrate the women and men who are instrumental in developing the next generation of makers and creators. Like the Outstanding Manufacturing Student Award, GCAMP hopes to use this award program to showcase the accomplishments of manufacturing educators in the Chicago area.

Again, applications are judged by manufacturing professionals based on the following criteria:

1. The educator's passion and commitment for the manufacturing field in and out of the classroom;
2. The educator's commitment to developing their students’ technical skills, as well as their core skills, such as interpersonal skills, time management, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills;
3. The educator's use of creativity and innovation in the classroom;
4. The educator's teaching of the current trends and technology within manufacturing;
5. And how the educator is exposing students to real-life manufacturing.  This might be demonstrated through inviting manufacturers into the school to speak with students or arranging manufacturing tours.

Outstanding Manufacturing Educator award winners receive a $500 cash prize, $500 for classroom needs, and are honored at the VIA Spark awards.