Bird Inc. continues to inspire Alabama students to explore careers in manufacturing

A classroom full of sixth and seventh graders gathered around tables filled with plastic parts and paper budgets, role-playing as engineers, machinists and marketers in a simulated factory. For many, it was their first hands-on look at what a future in manufacturing might hold — and that’s exactly the goal.

Since January, John Cranston, program coordinator, has visited 22 schools across Alabama to deliver Bird Inc., a high-energy, interactive classroom experience designed to inspire students to consider manufacturing, STEM and entrepreneurship as potential career paths.

Cranston recently brought the program to Danville Middle School, Tanner High School and Hanceville Middle School, where students took real-world roles to build and market decoy owls.

“Your program contains so much valuable information and I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and life story with our students,” said Monica Doherty, career coach for Danville and West Morgan Schools. “It was great to see them engaged and interested.”

Tara Ellis, career coach for Tanner High School and West Limestone High School, said the program was inspiring.

“Mr. John from Bird Inc. and Auburn University truly inspired our Tanner sixth- and seventh-grade students about making good choices, manufacturing/STEM careers and entrepreneurship,” she said.

Originally developed by Cranston in 1996, Bird Inc. was recently revived through a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. The project is being led by Auburn University’s Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS), with a mission to reach more than 28,000 sixth-grade students across Alabama over the next two years.

Bird Inc. compresses the essence of a manufacturing operation into a 50-minute classroom simulation. Students are assigned roles such as company president, sales and marketing professionals, engineers, machinists, technicians and quality control specialists, while others act as investors. The result is an immersive introduction to manufacturing careers.

Cranston has also been a hit in the classroom.

“Hearing of Mr. Cranston’s fascinating life and accomplishments was an added bonus,” said Hanceville Middle School teacher Lillian Hardman. “We look forward to seeing him again next year.”

With each school visit, Cranston and the ICAMS team are working to reshape the perception of manufacturing and open students’ eyes to the growing opportunities in their communities.