Bird Inc.

Bird Inc. recently had successful visits with 7th and 8th grade classes at Carbon Hill Elementary - Jr. High School in Walker County!

See the Bird Inc. program in action and learn more about its history, the students' reactions, and more!

The Bird Inc. program is continuing to reach Alabama schools! Curry Middle School enjoyed hosting the program on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. "We really enjoyed having him come to our school and work with our students," said Keith Helms, 7th grade science teacher. "They enjoyed the presentation, and we hope to have him back as soon as we can." #manufacturing #engineering #stemlearning #auburn

The Bird Inc. program presented its 50-minute factory at Valley Junior High School in Walker County, Alabama, today! Eighth-grade science teacher Helen Ivey, pictured below with Bird Inc. program director John Cranston, said she only heard positive feedback from the students. "I didn't hear a negative word out of all three groups," Ivey said. "Thanks so much for the program and coordinating for our rural students to have this opportunity. They left knowing that no matter what they have come from and often endured, they can be anything they set their mind to and set goals. John was really great at expressing his path and encouraging them to make good choices so they can have a productive life." #manufacturing #engineering #stemlearning #auburn

Bird Inc. program director John Cranston first created the Bird Inc. program in the '90s after President Bill Clinton’s School-to-Work Opportunities Act legislation was signed into law. He recently resurrected the program in April 2023 and has visited 7 schools and has spoken with more than 1,300 middle schoolers about the career of manufacturing. Through the 50-minute factory outreach activity, Cranston assists students in producing a decoy owl through a fictional company. He teaches the students that every manufacturing company requires employees who serve different roles, from sales to engineering. In addition to producing the owl decoy, students decide on salaries and production costs, and determined how many owls their company would need to produce in a set timeframe to turn a profit. Student comments have included: "I enjoyed it because I was able to learn new things I can use in the future." "I enjoyed the program beause it was very interesting and entertaining." Teacher comments: “The students have loved it. Even the ones that are harder to keep motivated in the classroom have loved it.” "One of the 8th-grade boys in particular said that the presentation caused him to think about his future and his career. One of our 7th-grade girls also had similar thoughts and has seemed to be more serious in class for the past few days." #manufacturing #engineering #stemlearning #auburn

In a white lab coat, black glasses, and an enthusiastic demeanor, John Cranston has the undivided attention of a room of sixth-graders at J.F. Drake Middle School in Auburn. “Think about your life in reference to your tombstone,” he says. “It will reflect the year you were born, the year you die, with a dash in the middle. There is a beginning and there will be an end, but what’s important is that dash in the middle. We all have dashes, but you have the choice to fill in that dash however you want. It’s all about choices and you have people in your life, such as teachers and parents, who are here to help support you in making those choices.” Cranston is the program director of Bird Inc., a 50-minute factory outreach activity through ICAMS - Auburn University. ICAMS trains students and industry personnel in advanced manufacturing technologies. One aspect of ICAMS’ mission is to introduce manufacturing to new generations. #manufacturing #engineering #stemlearning #auburn