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bci burke and the communityBCI Burke Hosts Project GRILL Celebration
A perfect spring day was the backdrop for a cookout hosted recently at BCI Burke to celebrate the long hours and demanding work invested by nine Campbellsport High School students on their Project GRILL venture. Burke employees gathered with the group outside the playground manufacture as they showcased their project-- a playground themed grill.
“The goal of the year-long project was to design and build a working charcoal grill from scratch and be able to cook 12 brats in one hour and they far surpassed their mark by cooking all 120 hamburgers and 38 brats on the grill for our celebration in about 45 minutes,” said Michelle Kissinger, BCI Burke Human Resources Manager. Kissinger and Burke’s John Smedberg, Special Projects Coordinator, were the company’s Project GRILL liaisons.
Project Grill is a program of the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce. They, in cooperation with Burke, other manufacturing partners and Moraine Park Technical College, work with six high school technical education departments. Students are exposed to up-to-the-minute technology, real-world deadlines and learn first-hand that careers in manufacturing are creative, challenging, and rewarding. Through the school year, students tour the manufacturers' work sites, and representatives of the manufacturers tour the schools.
“Project GRILL completes the connection from students at the high school level to industry. The students learned quickly how crucial communication is for success,” said Jerry Burr, Campbellsport High School Technology Ed Teacher. “BCI Burke was an outstanding partner, helping insure the overwhelming success of this year’s grill.”
The project also broadens the student’s understanding of manufacturing and reality of job pressures and expectations.
“I appreciate the opportunity this project gave me in terms of getting your foot in the door of the manufacturing world. The skills I learned with Project GRILL will stick with me and benefit me in my future,” said Ben Kreis, group member and master griller at the celebration.
The GRILL program, which stands for Growing Readiness in Learning and Leading, is designed to interest a new generation of creative minds in the opportunities and rewards of careers in manufacturing.
Representatives from BCI Burke and Campbellsport High School gathered around the custom grill the students designed and built with a playground theme to include a climber, artificial turf, and custom panels. Shown in the photo from BCI Burke are Tim Ahern, Mark Sondergard, Michelle Kissinger, and John Smedberg; and from Campbellsport High School are Jerry Burr, Blake Abig, Nicholas Dahlinger, William Volm, Benjamin Kreis, Nicholas Volm, Dylan Dudevoire, Tyler Andrews, Eric Seibel, and Tanner St. Mary.
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