The discussion focused on the Early College and Career Academy (ECCA), a joint effort of Education for Employment System #330 and Parkland College. ECCA is a program for high school juniors and seniors to earn credits that count toward a high school diploma and college, all while gaining skills in six different Parkland College degree programs, including Manufacturing.
We had representatives from Parkland & EFE #330 in attendance, along with local companies + students enrolled in the program.
Frasca International, Inc. was in attendance to share their experience of partnering with ECCA to sponsor a student.
Download a PDF overview of ECCA here. Download a PDF of the current ECCA – Manufacturing courses being offered here.
MakerGirl is a start-up out of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that inspires girls from the ages of 7 to 10 to be active in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields through 3D printing sessions. These sessions give girls the opportunity to creatively design on the computer and then watch their designs physically come to life.
We were happy to participate on the Tier II Committee for Unit 4 Schools, charged with the following:
The charge of the Tier Two Committee is to review recommendations from Tier One and, based on this information, provide recommendations to the Board of Education in the following areas: location of facilities, collaborations/partnerships with other public entities in the Champaign Unit #4 District, and finance/referendum schedule.
Since February, the group has met to discuss the charge and recently submitted the Final Report to the Unit 4 School Board. View the final report here.
The Unit 4 Board of Education will host two Town Hall Meetings on June 23 and July 14 to gather community input on the school facility plans under consideration. Learn more here.
Craig Rost, our Executive Director, joined the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and other community stakeholders for the annual Champaign County First trip to Washington D.C., June 6-8.
Champaign County First is a united countywide effort to identify projects and/or initiatives that, when successfully completed, will greatly benefit the citizens of Champaign County; spur economic development; and improve the quality of life in Champaign County. Champaign County First partners are committed to advocating on behalf of the identified projects at the local, state and/or federal level with one voice in order to transform Champaign County.
Rost and others met with Amtrak, Senator Richard Durbin’s office, Senator Mark Kirk’s office, the United States Department of Transportation, and Congressman Rodney Davis, among others. Projects discussed: high speed rail, passenger rail, I-57/74 interchange, road and sewer improvements, and more.
Over 400 people gathered at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts for the 10th Annual Innovation Celebration on the evening on March 3rd to recognize those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in the community.
Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, but a benchmark of success for those outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations who are nominated and selected to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, Innovation Celebration serves as a tangible collaboration between the University of Illinois, Parkland College and the community.
The winners were chosen out of more than 100 nominations.
Award Winners Innovation Transfer Award – University of Illinois Dr. Kenneth Suslick
Champaign County, home to the University of Illinois, features world-class technological resources and superb location and transportation benefits that make it a strategic hub for technology and industrial development.
Founded in 1991, Taylor Studios, Inc. began as a mail-order business creating museum-quality artifacts, fossil reproductions, and exhibits for museums and other clients. Quickly recognized for the passion and expertise brought to each project, the company initially carved out a niche in the paleontology, archaeology, and natural history fields. Today, Taylor Studios is recognized as an industry leader in exhibit planning, design, fabrication, and installation, serving a diversity of clients throughout the country and internationally. Their 3D storytelling now reaches beyond natural history to cultural history, history walls, and immersive environments of all kinds. Read More »
Frasca International manufactures flight simulators for all aircraft types, fixed and rotary wing, used for pilot training for airlines, flight schools, colleges and universities, military, law enforcement, air evac and commercial organizations. Since its founding in 1958, over 3,000 Frasca simulators have been delivered worldwide. Read More »
To celebrate National Manufacturing Day & Manufacturing Month (as determined by the Illinois Department of Commerce), we teamed up with the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce to host a Manufacturing Roundtable on Tuesday, October 4th at Parkland College.
stakeholders for the annual Champaign County First trip to Washington D.C., June 6-8.
