Three professors at Purdue College of Technology South Bend are teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) classes for Bittersweet Elementary’s Bittersweet University.
Sponsored by the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), the program aims to extend learning beyond the regular school day. Six classes are offered, ranging from STEM to fine arts.
Mike Pace, clinical assistant professor of organizational leadership and supervision, taught a session on lean manufacturing in which students created an efficient production line to get a product to a customer. “The students can all relate to receiving a product that was not what they wanted and this session was their chance to find out what it’s like to be the producer,” Pace said. “The students were able to make suggestions to better the process, take less time, and be as profitable as they can be.” Pace also will teach the students about KANBAN, a system used in manufacturing that defines when, what and how much of a product or service to produce.