Hamtramck, MI – March 2025 – Learning Blade, a leading STEM career exploration platform for grades 5–9, is collaborating with the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program and BlueForge Alliance (BFA) to inspire the next generation of maritime manufacturing professionals. One impact of this collaboration is enabling middle school students from Kosciuszko Middle School in Hamtramck, Michigan who have completed or are currently engaged in Learning Blade’s “Building Submarines” missions to gain first-hand exposure to maritime career pathways.

On Tuesday, February 25, and Thursday, February 27, students participated in field trips to Macomb Community College’s Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) Facility in Warren, MI. These visits introduced students to the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3), designed to equip future professionals with the skills needed in the maritime and advanced manufacturing industries.

“This collaboration exemplifies the power of career exploration by helping students understand the connection between education and high-demand careers” said Carrie Curtis, Ph.D., Education Initiatives Lead, U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base Program. “These field trips reinforce students’ learning and broadens their understanding of the many pathways available to them.”

Jerry Wooden, CEO of eDynamic Learning, parent company of Learning Blade, emphasized the significance of the partnership in building future career opportunities. “We are committed to inspiring students by showing them real-world applications of their education. Our collaboration with the Maritime Industrial Base Program and BlueForge Alliance provides a crucial opportunity for students to see firsthand the exciting careers available in maritime manufacturing and technology.”

Students were able to interact with key industry and academic leaders at Macomb Community College, including Dr. Patrick Rouse, Director of Workforce & Continuing Education for Engineering and Advanced Technology; Michael Baysdell, Director of K-12 Relations; Valerie Corbett, Assistant Director of Special Projects; and Gail Terhune, Workforce & Continuing Education Administrator. These experts provided insights into careers in submarine manufacturing and maritime technology.

“The additive and subtractive manufacturing intrigued me, and I learned more about that today when I saw the machine that made the cube with complex cuts.” said one eighth-grade student from Kosciusko School, after experiencing CNC machine technology both in the classroom and at Macomb Community College.

This initiative is part of Learning Blade’s ongoing effort to ensure students are aware of a wide variety of career opportunities, especially in high-demand fields. Through the Learning Blade instructional materials and collaborative efforts like these field trips, students will gain valuable insights that can shape their educational and career trajectories.

For more information about Learning Blade, visit Learning Blade. To learn more about the Navy-funded partnership with Learning Blade, visit here.

Photos: Middle school students explore the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3) at the Macomb Community College’s Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) Facility