Annual Manufacturing Day: Factory Field Trips and Showcases

This year, MFG Day kicks off on Friday, October 2, 2026 with events continuing throughout the month. Organizations will show the public what manufacturing really looks like through more than 3,000 events across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico with over 325,000 students, parents, and community members attending.

Find 2026 showcases and field trip opportunities in Idaho, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and more: Manufacturing Day | NIST. Check back often as more events are added. This list is not exhaustive of events taking place across the U.S., so check for opportunities locally too!

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), MFG Day provides an opportunity to:

• Dispel misconceptions and outdated or inaccurate perceptions of manufacturing jobs by showcasing the modern, high-tech nature of the industry.
• Inspire future talent by highlighting the diverse range of roles available, the potential for growth, and the positive impact manufacturing has on communities.   
• Build relationships with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders that can lead to partnerships in workforce development, education, and apprenticeship programs.   
• Showcase career paths and highlight industry benefits such as competitive wages and opportunities for continuous learning and advancement in a stable, fulfilling environment.  

LEGOs: Deep-rooted manufacturing connections

NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Acting Director G. Nagesh Rao has written about how he embraces his inner “tech LEGO nerd” with his massive LEGO collection. He is not alone. LEGOs are among the most popular toys in history with a fanbase of millions of people of all ages from around the planet. Even if you don’t play with LEGOs now, there’s a good chance you did at one point in your life.  

Educators have often used LEGOs to teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts. Take a cue from them and talk about how LEGOs serve as a model of manufacturing excellence, inspiring innovation, precision, and customer engagement. Key topics could include: 

• Precision engineering: LEGOs are renowned for their precision and consistency. The interlocking bricks must fit together perfectly, requiring advanced manufacturing techniques and quality control measures.
• Innovation and creativity: LEGOs encourage creativity and problem-solving, qualities that are essential for manufacturers to stay competitive. 
• Customer engagement and brand loyalty: The LEGO Group has meticulously cultivated a dedicated community of consumers. Manufacturers can apply similar strategies to build their own brand loyalty.  

When interacting with your MFG Day audience, you might ask people for a show of hands of those who love video games. This can include everything from simply playing them to having an interest in game development. You can relate how manufacturing is like building a real-life game, where you design, code, and test products that people use every day.

Gaming: Manufacturing is akin to building a real-life game

When interacting with your MFG Day audience, you might ask people for a show of hands of those who love video games. This can include everything from simply playing them to having an interest in game development. You can relate how manufacturing is like building a real-life game, where you design, code, and test products that people use every day.

While gaming and manufacturing may seem like they are worlds apart, there are several intriguing connections between these two industries:

• Coding: Staff members can explain how coding for a cobot is similar to game development, emphasizing problem-solving and logical thinking.
• Digital prototyping and 3D printing: Both gaming and manufacturing rely heavily on digital prototyping to test and refine designs. Games often use 3D models to visualize and iterate on game environments and characters. In manufacturing, 3D printing allows for rapid prototyping of physical components.
• Quality control and testing: Both industries value quality control and testing. Games undergo extensive testing to identify and fix bugs before release, and manufacturers must ensure that their products meet quality standards and comply with regulations.
• Innovation and creativity: Both are driven by innovation and creativity. Game developers constantly push the boundaries of technology and storytelling. Manufacturers must innovate to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer demands.

Cosplay: Craftsmanship parallels product design

Much like gaming, cosplay combines technology and creativity. When creating costumes and props that look like those used by your favorite television or video game characters, you are taking a concept through a design process. You must account for production methods, materials, sizes, end uses, maintenance, and durability. Cosplayers naturally migrate to computer code and programming. Why not manufacturing?

For cosplayers, bringing characters to life parallels the product development process. Much like crafting the perfect cosplay materials, manufacturing is about turning ideas into reality. Game developers constantly push the boundaries of technology and storytelling. Manufacturers must innovate to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer demands.

Read more about Manufacturing Day and how to get involved here.

YouthBuild Resources on Manufacturing

• Industry Awareness Webinar: Exploring Manufacturing Pathways for YouthBuild Programs
• Sector Strategy How-to Guide
• Construction Plus Industry Spotlights
• AI Literacy Skills for YouthBuild
• Construction Plus (C+) Resource Collection

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Posted by: YouthBuild TA
• Posted in: YouthBuild