Lorain County Community College Hosts Inspiring College Visit for FlexFactor® Students

A Memorable Experience for Elyria High School Participants

Since the inception of NextFlex’s FlexFactor Program in 2016, the program has reached over 25,000 students, 8% being military connected, across 12 states. FlexFactor is an outreach, recruitment, and STEM education program designed to familiarize K-12 students with advanced manufacturing technology, entrepreneurship, and the education and career pathways that can lead to a STEM career. Students work to identify a real-world problem, conceptualize an advanced hardware product enabled by hybrid electronics manufacturing, and build a business model around it. Core program elements include an industry tour, a college tour, mentored STEM workshops, and pitching their product ideas to a panel of representatives from business, technology, and academia.

On February 10, 2025, Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in Elyria, Ohio, hosted an enriching college visit for three iterations of FlexFactor students from Elyria City Schools’ “STEAM 2.0” class. This event was designed to provide students with a firsthand look at the educational opportunities available at LCCC, especially within the dynamic field of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS). The group consisted of mixed-grade students from 9th to 12th grade.

The program manager meticulously planned three iterations of the visit to ensure that each student could have an immersive and meaningful experience. After warmly welcoming the students to the campus after their 9AM arrival, the jam-packed day began. The visit included an exploration of LCCC’s tiered MEMS program, where students were divided into two groups: one visiting the Associate Degree lab and the other the Bachelor’s Degree lab.

In the Associate Degree lab, students experienced a “cleanroom” environment, which included donning a full protective suit and hood. This lab replicates real-world conditions, complete with UV ray filtration, providing students with a realistic glimpse into the professional setting of MEMS manufacturing.

The Bachelor’s Degree lab, on the other hand, was set up as a manufacturing line where students were introduced to the complexities of making components and scaling production. They learned about working with advanced equipment and troubleshooting common issues in manufacturing processes. By the end of the session, students had the unique opportunity to walk away with their very own circuit boards, a tangible reminder of their hands-on learning experience.

Apart from the MEMS labs, students had lunch at the student union “Marketplace,” giving them a taste of the college experience. Following lunch, they visited the IRIS program, exploring Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. They experienced the virtual worlds created by students on campus and learned about emerging technologies. They also heard from one of the college’s partners who uses VR to design and fine-tune manufacturing spaces.

The students toured other advanced manufacturing facilities, including the FAB and Fanuc robots and cobots, and the welding program. This visit was aimed at exposing them to various projects, programs, and career opportunities. After a full day that included a lot of traveling around the LCCC campus, the event wrapped up at 1PM.

The college visit left a profound impact on the students, sparking curiosity and interest in the fields of MEMS and Advanced Manufacturing at large. The direct exposure to cutting-edge technology and the ability to engage with industry-standard equipment helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students inquired about college life, sports, and other non-STEAM programs, as well, which were discussed during walks through the culinary area, theater, art spaces, and the main student union area. They even got a glimpse of the athletics and recreation center. Carlos Delgado, the LCCC FlexFactor Program Manager noted that, “I’m a sucker for trying to tie everything together,” and used the entire tour as an opportunity to help students explore the future that might exist for them at LCCC.

Carlos also noted that, during the visit, one student was hesitant to participate in the cleanroom gear-up but eventually found interest in other areas. Carlos told her, “We can definitely find something else for you here.” Another student, conversely, showed keen interest in the MEMS program, seeing it as a viable career path with financial benefits. (He noted, “I could do this, and I could definitely do it for that much money!”) Carlos had enlisted the help of MEMS faculty for the tour, who also provided insights into the admissions process, typical costs of a four-year degree, and the stackable model that allows students to earn and learn simultaneously.

Overall, the event was a resounding success, showcasing LCCC’s commitment to providing high-quality educational experiences and supporting the aspirations of young adults. The FlexFactor program, with its emphasis on real-world applications and industry connections, continues to be a cornerstone in preparing students to serve as the Advanced Manufacturing and STEM careers workforce of the future.

On April 30, NextFlex will be celebrating ten years of collaboration and innovation with LCCC and Ohio Technical Skills Innovation Network (Ohio TechNet). Industry leaders, workforce experts, and education partners will highlight high-impact practices that address the evolving talent needs of manufacturing, with a particular focus on the defense industrial base. Join us for Innovating, Investing, Leading for the Defense Industrial Base.

Learn more about NextFlex Learning Programs and how you can help build the workforce of tomorrow. This is an incredible opportunity to support the cultivation of the visionary leaders of the future.