Elementary and middle school science curricula typically focus on generating an interest in science and engineering through the use of hands-on activities that demonstrate specific concepts. Laboratory activities designed in this manner often circumvent some of the main challenges that engineers and scientists face, namely balancing advantages and…

Implementing and integrating an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system into an organization is an enormous undertaking that requires substantial cash outlays, time commitments, and skilled IT and business personnel. It requires careful and detailed planning, thorough testing and training, and a change management process that creates a…

Work-based courses are an innovative way to bring college to the production line by using the job as a learning lab. This toolkit provides guidance to community college administrators and faculty who are interested in bringing a work-based course model to their college. It contains video content and teaching tips that introduce the six steps of…

The design of balanced assembly lines, especially when considering workforce, material, and cycle time factors, is an important managerial decision-making activity in manufacturing firms. Numerous active learning activities are available to assist instructors in teaching assembly line balancing to students. While effective in improving student…

Saudi Arabian Petrochemical Company (SAPCO), a petrochemicals manufacturer, has decided to make some major internal changes to gain increased market share and continue its success. It has been easy going for some time now, and business has been very good, but in order to take that next step, SAPCO needs to attain the Responsible Care…

The General Manager, Steve Gunderson, is currently charged with leading the decision on whether to outsource the payroll function of the USMCo (UltraSonic Machining Co) organization or to purchase a system and hire a full-time, experienced payroll staff member to manage the details of payroll for the company. There are differing opinions of…

This article presents an interesting design challenge for students, one that will certainly let them integrate subject matter and get a sense of pride for doing something useful in their own community. The author would be willing to bet that the average town or city has some old red brick manufacturing building(s) that have seen much better days.…

Lean manufacturing, an outgrowth of the Toyota Production System, has spread far beyond the automobile industry and is seen by many leaders as a key management philosophy in the battle to compete on an international scale. Successful implementation of lean requires that managers and employees be educated in the proper application of lean tools and…

This paper is a teaching case intended for use in an undergraduate auditing or fraud examination course. Students are introduced to Wayne Manufacturing, a medium-sized firm in the Midwestern U.S.A. that manufactures parts for companies such as General Motors (GM) and Ford. Wayne Manufacturing has some conditions present that put it at risk for…

This document contains instructor's guides for slide/tape packages on careers in four areas: the communications and media cluster, the manufacturing cluster, the public services cluster, and the transportation cluster. Each instructor's guide provides the following: general instruction for student use--equipment needed, preparation before class,…

This curriculum unit is intended for use in high school social studies, technology education, science classes, and in some career guidance classes. The lesson plans and activities are to help teachers present a comprehensive unit on manufacturing to their students. Activities provide hands-on, problem-solving, and cooperative work experiences.…

Late work, a growing problem in the society, ultimately undermines the value delivered to the consumer. In this article, the authors have experienced a predisposition in students to turn their work in late. As educators of the next generation of professionals, they state that they must address societal problems, and teaching the importance of…

Large increases in productivity are typically realized as organization gain experience in production. Examined is evidence from several disciplines on organizational learning curves. Reasons why organizational learning rates vary are identified. (YP)

This integrated unit on the H. J. Heinz Company is intended for fourth grade and provides a broad understanding of history, social science, geography, science, mathematics, literature and economics. Students will discover that many other industries, besides iron and steel, were prospering in the mid-1800s. The table of contents lists: (1)…

Notes that the number of workers employed in the U.S. chemical industry rose again in 1988. Provides information for the years 1978-88 for the areas of industrial employment, scientist and engineer employment, corporation employment, wages, and industrial productivity. (MVL)