Grade 9 visits ALSCO
An eye-opening view of state-of-the-art industry excites 9th graders
Mid December 9th-grade students, accompanied by Ms. Colopy and Mr. Helldorf, embarked on an exciting field trip to Alsco Uniforms as part of the Authentic STEM program. Alsco is a leading provider of textile services, specializing in the rental, cleaning, and maintenance of restaurant linens, workwear and floor mats. The visit offered us the opportunity to gain practical insights into the operations of a modern company while applying theoretical knowledge from school lessons to a real-world setting.
From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the size of the facility. After a warm welcome from Alsco’s staff, we began a tour through the various departments of the company. We were able to experience firsthand how industrial cleaning and maintenance of textiles are carried out – from delivery and sorting to modern washing and drying technologies.
One of the highlights was a demonstration of automated processes and innovative machinery that efficiently and sustainably handle large volumes of textiles every day. "It’s fascinating to see how technology and environmental consciousness work hand in hand here," remarked one student.
In addition to the technical insights, we had the chance to ask questions about the various roles at Alsco, career paths, and the skills required for employees. The connection among science, technology and business became particularly evident, leaving us impressed by the diverse career opportunities available.
"Authentic STEM thrives on enhancing classroom learning with real-world practice," explained Ms. Colopy. "Visits like this help our students discover their interests and explore potential career paths." Mr. Helldorf was equally enthusiastic: "The students were highly engaged and asked excellent questions. It’s great to see them delve deeply into these topics."
At the end of the day each of us received a small gift from Alsco as a memento of this stimulating experience.
The visit to Alsco was a successful blend of learning, discovery, and future planning for the 9th-grade class and will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time.
Fynn Z. (Class 9a)