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Junior high school girl trying virtual welding with other students watching

More than 110 junior high girls learned about careers in the manufacturing industry at the 2025 Women in Manufacturing Summit at the Quad-Cities Campus.

The day included breakout sessions where girls tried virtual welding and making keychains on a CNC machine and learned about supply chain management and production line flow. The students enjoyed lunch from The Little Brown Box Delicatessen (a woman-owned business in downtown Moline) and a panel discussion with five women who are making an impact in the manufacturing industry.

Thank you to:

  • Event sponsors John Deere and the City of Galva.
  • Panelists Jill Castree, Cirstie Noble, Mandy Parchert, Payton Rousseau and Sara Ryan for sharing their experiences.
  • Cambridge Junior/Senior High School, Central Junior High School (Kewanee), Glenview Middle School (East Moline), Orion Middle School, Washington Junior High School (Rock Island) and Wilson Middle School (Moline) for bringing their students to the summit.

View photos from the event on Facebook.

Media coverage:

Group of junior high girls observing instructor and machine demonstration in manufacturing lab