Seventh graders from Warren Local make colored slime during the demonstration with Syensqo on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Nearly 800 seventh graders from 12 schools across southeastern Ohio attended the 33rd annual Y.E.S. Days at the Washington State College of Ohio on Tuesday.

The two-day event featured over 20 organizations and about 30 presenters who offered demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences for the students.

WSCO’s Y.E.S. Days stands for young engineers and scientists. The demonstrations and presenters represent their organization and teach the kids about the workforce, their personal experiences in science and how the students can pursue paths in areas such as science and engineering.

“The purpose of AOMC (Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition) is to really bring manufacturing to the schools,” said AOMC Executive Director Dana Hermann.

AOMC was one of many organizations attending Y.E.S Days and offering hands-on experiences for middle-schoolers.

Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition Intern Jaden Martin teaches seventh graders about the company and its advanced technology during Washington State College of Ohio’s Y.E.S Days on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Hermann, along with some of AOMC’s interns, were onsite at WSCO offering demonstrations about the advanced technology AOMC utilized through their new M.A.D.E. program.

Hermann said AOMC’s M.A.D.E. (manufacturing, advancement, development, employment) is a new program that was launched in Washington County with plans to visit eight more counties in the region. Hermann said this was the second time the M.A.D.E. program was introduced at an event.

“We can set-up in any school’s parking lot and bring advanced technology to the students,” she said. “In addition to seeing the technology in action, they also get to learn about the different careers that attach to each piece of technology.”

AOMC teaches kids about technological equipment and the various careers they could pursue. The demonstration walked the students through laser cutting, 3D printing, welding and more.

“AOMC was honored to be part of the planning committee for this event,” said Hermann.

Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition welding station which demonstrates welding for the seventh graders at Washington State College of Ohio’s Y.E.S. Days on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The participating schools included Belpre, Marietta, Shenandoah, Warren, Caldwell, Fort Frye, Waterford, Frontier, St. Mary Catholic, Veritas, Wood County Christian and Cambridge schools.

The schools were divided between two days to ensure every student at each participating school had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the educational experience.

Miki Rowland is a science teacher at Warren Local and said she’s been attending Y.E.S Days since the very beginning.

“It’s such a wonderful event and it teaches our kids science and how science careers and opportunities are available right here in the valley,” said Rowland.

“They do lots of hands-on fun things here.”

Southeast Ohio Joint Solid Waste Management District Educator Wanda Schaad teaches environmental education to seventh graders from Warren Local during Y.E.S. Days on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Rowland’s students were making colorful slime during Syensqo’s demonstration. Syensqo is a local company that specializes in polymers for electric vehicles as well as biosourced solvents for everyday consumers.

The activity showed students how materials react and interact with one another, which is similar to the operations Syensqo conducts.

“It definitely gets them excited about science, which is great,” she said. “It gives them an opportunity to think ‘this could be a possible career for me in the future.'”

Rowland said the kids have responded really well to the event and they always have a great time. Many of the students said they were interested in science and loved making the slime.

Some of the organizations included Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio Army National Guard, Terra Sonic International, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and more.

Interns at the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition speaking with seventh graders from Belpre and Cambridge schools on Tuesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Many of the organizations return each year for the event but there are a few new organizations such as a detective from the county sheriff’s office.

The students were introduced to a wide array of careers and internship opportunities they could pursue in years to come.

WSCO’s Y.E.S Days continues with more seventh graders today from 8:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Go to www.wsco.edu/ for more information about programs, opportunities and more.