Story and Photo Submitted By: Bucyrus City Schools
Students in Bucyrus City Schools’ Advanced Manufacturing program recently presented
prototype marketing products to leaders from Forge Fire & Company as part of an authentic,
career connected learning experience rooted in design, manufacturing, and professional
communication.
The project began with students touring the Forge Fire & Company facility, where they learned
directly from company leadership about the business, its branding needs, and the real-world
problem they were being asked to solve. Students were then challenged to act as a product
design and manufacturing team for the company.
Forge Fire & Company, a Bucyrus based company, committed to building the most realistic training environments in the industry, asked students to develop promotional products that could communicate the company’s brand and values in a memorable and professional way. Specifically, students were asked to design and prototype challenge coins and coasters for use at an upcoming trade show.
Student teams researched the company’s needs, created digital mockups, produced physical
prototypes, and delivered professional pitches to an audience that included leaders from Forge
Fire & Company, additional business leaders, and workforce development partners. Forge Fire
representatives along with several community partners served as judges for the presentations
and evaluated the student work based on design quality, functionality, branding, teamwork, and
the strength of each team’s presentation.
At the conclusion of the presentations, Forge Fire & Company selected one challenge coin design and one coaster design to move into production. Bucyrus students will now manufacture the selected products in the school’s lab, turning their ideas into finished items for real-world use.
“This project is exactly the kind of learning we want for our students,” said Superintendent Bob
Britton. “When students are solving real problems for real companies, they see the purpose of
what they are learning in a much deeper way. We are grateful to Forge Fire & Company and to
our business and workforce partners for helping create an experience that connects classroom
learning to the future.”
“We were impressed by the creativity, thoughtfulness, and professionalism the students brought
to this challenge,” said Jim Fox of Forge Fire & Company. “They took the time to understand our
business, listened carefully to our needs, and developed a variety of ideas that truly reflected
our brand. It is exciting to know that the final products selected will now be manufactured by
students right here in Bucyrus and be put to use proudly.”
“This experience gave students the chance to learn from business leaders firsthand, respond to
an authentic need, and move their ideas from concept to production,” said Amy Wood, Director
of District Partnerships for Bucyrus City Schools. “That kind of real-world engagement helps
students build confidence, technical skill, and a stronger understanding of how their learning
connects to future opportunities.”
The Forge Fire project reflects Bucyrus City Schools’ continued commitment to career
connected learning and to building partnerships that help students develop both technical and
durable skills. Through experiences like this one, students are not only learning about industry,
but actively contributing to it while growing and fulfilling in many areas of the Schools’ True
North Vision.
About Bucyrus City Schools
Guided by their vision of True North: Navigating Students to Career Success, Bucyrus City
Schools is redefining career readiness through a seamless PreK–12 system of
career-connected learning. This district-wide approach inspires, equips, and empowers all
learners to navigate their futures with confidence, purpose, and skill.
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