History Channel star judges international contest at MSOE

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee School of Engineering is playing host to a competition drawing students from all over the world, and this year's "Cast in Steel" contestants found insight from their local fire departments.

"Lt. Schultz, Engine 37, and this is The Love Handle."

The Boston Fire Department was called on by students who wanted to know if the Halligan bar they crafted would work on the job.

"We've learned a lot and I think it's really gonna help us in our careers," said Kannon Behrens, sophomore, Wentworth Institute of Technology.

These six sophomores from Wentworth Institute of Technology were among some 200 students from 42 universities from around the world who are in Milwaukee now, showcasing their Halligan bars used by firefighters for forceable entry.

"And the fun thing is the kids who are on the teams are as excited about this competition as Cub Scouts are about the Pine Wood Derby," said Raymond Monroe, executive vice president of the Steel Founders Society of America.

The Steel Founders Society of America sponsors Cast in Steel, a contest now in its sixth year. It's inspired by the History Channel series "Forged in Fire."

"We can talk metallurgy and no one says, 'this is boring, let's talk about something else,'" said Ben Abbott, "Forged in Fire" star and "Cast in Steel" judge. 

Ben Abbott's a judge here, like he is on the show.

"We had them busting in doors like a fireman earlier and it was just, you could see the excitement on their face," said Abbott.

"Our number one challenge in manufacturing's the future workforce. We have fewer people entering the workforce than leaving the workforce," said Raymond Monroe, executive vice president of the Steel Founders Society of America.

Keeping young minds inspired to fuel a declining work force.

"It comes out super mangled. We got to grind it all down, get smooth finishes, especially here in these areas," said Zack Cleveland, sophomore, Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Wentworth Institute of Technology sophomore Joshua Hofer told us, "We didn't make it to the finalists, sadly."

Winners will be announced Tuesday morning in a tent outside MSOE.