As we celebrate manufacturing this week, Bainbridge High School Bearcats are digging into manufacturing processes as part of the new Advanced Manufacturing Pathway (AMP) program at Bainbridge High School. The AMP program developed in partnership with Georgia Tech and our Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program is designed to prepare students for high-demand manufacturing careers through hands-on learning and cutting-edge technology.
This week, our students are testing their 3D-printed race car designs—each individually inspired and meticulously created using AUTOCAD and FUSION 360 software. Today’s spotlight is on the wheels, as students eagerly collect data and make real-time adjustments to their base wheel designs after testing them out on the 40-foot race track housed in our newly renovated engineering and manufacturing lab. The energy in the lab is electric as Bearcats put their creativity and engineering skills to the test. Precision, Innovation, and Creativity rule the day. What a great way to get things rolling during Georgia AIM Week 2025.
Through the semester, students have engaged in collaborative instruction with Georgia Tech professors via Zoom, supported by our dedicated CTAE Director Mr. Todd Gainous, Technology Specialist Mr. Chad Griffin, and Engineering Instructor Mr. Mac Lewis. This dynamic partnership is equipping students with critical skills in CAD and CAM technology, using an all-in-one platform that integrates computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering in a single cloud-based tool.
The curriculum empowers students with:
Advanced 3D modeling and design capabilities,
Additive manufacturing preparation including lattice structures and slicing for 3D printing,
Integrated CAM workflows supporting multi-axis machining,
Hands-on machining experience on our new Tormach CNC machine,
Data collection and analysis using Python programming.
Students are following the iterative Design Engineering Process, making continuous improvements as they prepare for “The Big Race” at the end of October, where GA Tech professors will join to celebrate and evaluate their progress. These Bearcats are all business when it comes to design and seeing their cars on the track today just pushes them further to perfect those designs and improve their times.
Georgia AIM Week 2025: AIM For Tomorrow
The theme for Georgia AIM Week 2025 is "AIM for Tomorrow" and this special GaTECH AMP program has definitely helped focus that AIM for our students at Bainbridge High School. "It is wonderful to see how the work our students are doing with GaTECH is exposing them to so many different possibilities. The GaTECH AMP program exposes students to advances in manufacturing, introduces them to using data to drive design decisions, and gives them hands on practice with additive 3D printing using the new Bambu printers as well as subtractive machining using the new Tormach CNC machine in the lab. It's very hands on and authentic to processes used in manufacturing today," explains Amy Zock, Director of Instructional and Innovative Technology for Decatur County Schools. 
This week is all about manufacturing as Decatur County Schools works with students at all grade levels to dig into STEM design skills. Zock emphasises, "We have students at each grade level working in some way to learn about the Engineering Design process this week from building and designing with legos and robots, to 3D modeling and printing. All students in Decatur County are exposed to strong STEM skills throughout the year as part of the WOZ ED initiative in the system".
National Manufacturing Day
This week ends with National Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) on Friday, October 2. The MFG initiative is a nation wide effort of the Manufacturing Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers, aimed at building excitement about manufacturing careers and addressing workforce development challenges. Decatur County Schools' and Bainbridge High School’s commitment to this vision is helping shape the next generation of skilled creators and innovators.
Decatur County Schools are proud to partner Georgia Tech, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC), Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) and extend our gratitude to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission for funding and supporting this vital work. Together, we are preparing Bearcats for strong futures in advanced manufacturing careers that will impact our community and beyond.
Bearcats are creators, innovators, and leaders—our Advanced Manufacturing pathway embodies the spirit of #CreatorsWanted and the promise of the #ManufacturingInstitute and meets the mission of Georgia AIM " to leverage AI innovation and propel Georgia manufacturing into the future. " We are building a future where Bearcats lead the way in technology and industry. #TheBearcatWay