This is a story about U.S. manufacturing, honoring heroes past and present, and teaching children in ways that textbooks and rote regurgitation cannot. This is a story about why I am optimistic about the future.

This is also a story about Kylan. He’s 8. Before I tell his story, though, I need to give you some background.

In Westminster, Colorado, a third grade class at Adams 12 STEM Launch School regularly invites a manufacturing CEO to come into the classroom to talk about, of all things, manufacturing. It’s done in conjunction with a program called Kids Connection, which was designed to form a bridge between kids and technology by bringing industry leaders and hands-on learning into the classroom. Although the program is less than a year old, manufacturers are already queuing up for the chance to enthuse young minds and inspire the future. 

Here’s a video that shows the concept in action. In it, STEM students are enjoying the opportunity to learn about aerodynamics and flight from a Falcon UAV:

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