Westerville North High School students revved up their enthusiasm for cars while Johnson Park Middle School students relished the sweet taste of candy manufacturing when they ventured onto a factory floor as part of "What's Up in Factories?" The students were among hundreds in Columbus and San Diego who took a breather from their textbooks to get a first-hand glimpse of today's world of manufacturing.

Prior to taking students on factory tours, their teachers used the "What's Up in Factories?" curriculum to introduce the history, culture and economics of manufacturing as well as new trends. They also showed the videotape and introduced exercises and discussions about making a tennis shoe, dismantling a ball-point pen and assembling nuts and bolts, all found in the "What's Up in Factories?" teacher materials. Then, it was off to the factory floor.

Mary Ann Cunnigan's Modern Living class from Westerville North High School in Columbus, Ohio toured Honda Manufacturing of America in nearby Marysville for a look at what it takes to build a car, from each part to the final coat of paint and a test drive. "The students were surprised to learn about the different jobs available in a factory setting," said Ms. Cunnigan. "Career opportunities include working on the assembly process team, being a test driver, managing the whole operation and more," she said. "They were also pleased to learn that workers were 'associates' and not 'employees,' and that work spaces were open and airy without walls."

Sixth grade science students from Johnson Park Middle School got a taste for candy-making when they toured the Anthony-Thomas Candy Shoppe in Columbus. Surrounded by the aromas of chocolate and peanut butter, the 44 students saw chocolate bars, candy hearts, butter creams and chocolate covered cherries being made. They came away with a sense of a hard day's work and a delicious product sample.

In San Diego, Hoover High School students learned that manufacturing could be as pleasing to the ear as to the taste, when they toured Taylor Guitars in El Cajon. They caught an ear and eyeful about making 6- and 12-string guitars.

From the simple pleasures of candy and music to the highly technical world of computer-aided assembly, students found that teamwork was a key factor. "The students were impressed at how important it is to be responsible, report on time and contribute to the team," said Tamara Bosley, Career Options Specialist, who, along with Occupational Work Adjustment Teacher Reggie Lee, accompanied Columbus' Brookhaven High School students on a tour of Liebert Corp. They saw how computerized security cards and computer cooling systems are made.

The students were amazed to find a factory operation to be so technical, organized and clean, according to Bosley. "The girls were especially happy to see women working there who play important roles in the process."

Expanding the "What's Up in Factories?" curriculum, Jonathan Green of Montgomery Middle School in El Cajon, Calif., asked his eighth grade social studies and science students to prepare a resume, and then selected a tour group of 28 based on those resumes. The students toured the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego.

"The students were astonished by the size and scope of the ships they build," said Green. "They were also surprised to find out how many different types of jobs are available and how much training - including in-school training, such as math, reading and writing skills - impacts the choice of jobs for which they might be suited."

While Montgomery Middle School students were in awe of the size and scope of shipbuilding, 20 ninth grade science students from Teays Valley High School in Columbus, were awestruck by the sophisticated computer and automation systems they learned about at Rimrock Corp. Rimrock makes automation equipment for the dye-casting industry, and students were impressed at the computer-assisted drawing and robotics in place, according to teacher Scott Cramblett, who joined students on the tour.

"I think the students were expecting to see an assembly line approach, but they were really wowed by the sophisticated equipment and advanced technical skills necessary to help get the job done," said Cramblett. "They were also pleased to learn that some of what they were introduced to in class - lean production, just-in-time and kaizen - were techniques in use at the factory."

Students shared such observations with teachers upon returning to the classroom. Many were asked to complete evaluations and the factory visit worksheet from the curriculum package. Others engaged in follow-up activities, such as brainstorming ways to reduce waste in packaging or reviewing the video with an eye toward what they had seen first-hand at the manufacturing site.

Other student tours conducted in the two cities have included Beery Middle School's tour of Crane Plastics in Columbus; Hoover High School's and El Cajon Valley High School's tours of Sony Electronics, Inc. in San Diego, and Kearny High School's tour of General Atomics in San Diego. Tours are also being scheduled in Dallas, Texas.