BPI Publishes Children's Book About Manufacturing

The book teaches students about the metal casting process as animated characters manufacture a toy car from start to finish.

Mary Brand reading Foundry Friends make a Casting at Bright Elementary School. Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) - Batesville Products, Inc. (BPI) wrote the children’s book Foundry Friends make a Casting to introduce young students to American manufacturing. The book teaches students about the metal casting process as animated characters manufacture a toy car from start to finish. Along the way, readers are introduced to engineering, metal casting, robotics, CNC machining, inspection gauges, and polishing – all important steps of the manufacturing process that takes place right here in Dearborn County.

“The heart of US manufacturing is in our own backyard, but we don’t talk about in school,” says Mary Brand, Batesville Products Digital Marketing Associate and author of Foundry Friends make a Casting. “Especially if kids enjoy STEM or hands-on work, they should explore manufacturing!”

The Batesville Products team is visiting Lawrenceburg, Bright, and South Dearborn elementary schools to donate books and read to classrooms. Students, teachers, and parents can further the learning experience with fun Foundry Friends coloring pages, activity books, and at-home experiments that simulate the manufacturing process. Printable activity pages and virtual versions of the storybook are on the BPI website.

The children’s book and accompanying activities are all part of BPI’s celebration of National Manufacturing Day, which takes place every year on the first Friday of October. During the month of October, manufacturers across the country are inspiring the next generation by getting involved in the community and educating students about the industry.

As part of the celebration, Batesville Products is also inviting high school students to tour their facilities in Lawrenceburg and Aurora. Please contact BPI to schedule a field trip.