K-12 OUTREACH

Melting Point and the American Foundry Society have prepared several resources to be used with students of varying ages to plant the seeds to develop, grow and sustain the industry and necessary talent. Without cultivating new talent, the industry will not be able to remain competitive in today’s global manufacturing environment. AFS chapters, groups, teachers and even parents can draw upon this web page to spotlight the metalcasting industry and have fun while doing it!

How Do We Share Metalcasting With Students?

Quick Facts

This general industry information is good to supplement classroom lectures and presentations and bring to career fairs.

  • Career Opportunities: Points out the variety of careers available in metalcasting and the steps for making a casting.

 

Hands on Activities

Take a step further in introducing the metalcasting process through interactive demonstrations. Invite students to play in the sand!

  • Manufacturing Day Toolkit: This webpage resource shares information on student activities, handouts, and more for Manufacturing Day (or any student group event!).

  • Foundry in a Box: This kit has been utilized at events across the country and allows teachers and students to create their own castings, from pressing the sand into a small matchplate mold, to melting tin to safely pouring the molten metal into the mold. These kits can be purchased, or sometimes local AFS chapters and national office can bring theirs in for a demonstration.

          Email ksu.afs@gmail.com for more information on how to order
            a Foundry in a Box.

To make and conduct your own hands-on foundry demonstration to show students, check out our instructable here.

  • Plant Tours: Many metalcasting facilities are happy to give tours of their facilities to the public upon request. For help finding local metalcasters, visit our Metalcasting Directory. You can also contact nearby AFS Chapters for recommendations.

Take the Plunge and Be an Advocate!

Once you’ve experienced the excitement of Foundry in a Box, watched a real demonstration of molten iron being poured, or discovered the myriad career paths available in metalcasting, you might be hooked. When you are ready to dive deeper, consider becoming an individual AFS member (student memberships are also available) or establishing connections with the local AFS chapter. AFS has 47 professional chapters and 27 student chapters throughout North America.

 

How Others Are Reaching Out

OSU, Central Ohio Chapters Have Strong Partnership
Eric Weiffenbach remembers visiting Ohio State University’s working foundry as a boy with his father. Today, Weiffenbach (Keener Sand & Clay Co.) continues that tradition – this time, as president of the AFS Central Ohio Chapter.

WMU Hosts Metalcasting Class for High School Students
The Western Michigan University metalcasting lab played host to high school students for a five-day metalcasting course.

Sea Scouts Learn About Metalcasting
The American Foundry Society AFS recently donated the use of its Foundry in a Box kit to introduce metalcasting to a division of Boy Scouts of America.

AFS Brings Foundry in a Box to Elizabeth, Ill.
The American Foundry Society’s director of membership services demonstrated the Foundry in a Box kit as part of a community outreach program put on by the Planetary Studies Foundation in Elizabeth, Ill.

Museum Adds Foundry Kit to Its Collection
Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry recently purchased a Foundry in a Box kit from AFS.

High School Program Brings Metalcasting to GEMS
Magma Foundry Technologies Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., participated in the 2013 GEMS (girls in engineering, mathematics and science) conference for 5th and 6th graders held at Conant High School.

AFS Piedmont Chapter Awards $10,500
The AFS Piedmont Chapter awarded a total of $10,500 in scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students.

Western Michigan Chapter Hosts Student Night
The AFS West Michigan chapter hosted its annual student night.