Indiana-based iXplore and OrthoWorx are joining forces to reshape career exploration for Hoosier middle and high school students. With support from the Don Wood Foundation, this partnership will launch immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experiences in early 2025, introducing 8th and 9th graders to exciting career opportunities in manufacturing and entrepreneurship. These experiences are thoughtfully designed to not just inform, but to inspire young minds, empowering them to see the unique “why” behind each career path.
A Mission to Build the Workforce of Tomorrow
Indiana stands as a national leader in Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics (AML), but maintaining that leadership in the era of Industry 4.0 requires innovative workforce development strategies. iXplore and OrthoWorx’s partnership addresses this need by creating highly engaging career discovery experiences that combine technology, storytelling, and applied theater techniques to bring industries to life for students.
Applied theater is a proven method for increasing engagement by dramatizing real-world scenarios to help learners emotionally connect with the content. Through this approach, iXplore ensures that students understand not just the “what” and “how” of a career, but most importantly, the “why”—the meaning and purpose behind the work.
Immersive Virtual Reality Meets Real Opportunity
At the core of this initiative is a mobile VR roadshow, delivering gamified career exploration directly to schools. Launching in early 2025, these VR experiences will spotlight roles as CNC machinists, polishers, and entrepreneurs—key areas within Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
CNC Machining
Students will enter a virtual workspace where they’ll engage in tasks like programming and operating precision machinery. They’ll learn about the technical skills, problem-solving, and creativity required to create components with exact specifications.
Polishing
This experience focuses on inspecting and finishing high-quality orthopedic components in the artisenal AND scientific craft of polishing, giving students insight into the precision and attention to detail needed to ensure products meet rigorous industry standards.
Entrepreneur
This module invites students to step into the shoes of an entrepreneur, following the journey of launching an ortho startup. They’ll explore problem-solving, innovation, and the challenges of turning an idea into a successful venture.
By merging technology, storytelling, and interactive gameplay, these VR experiences provide students with an engaging and lasting impression of the careers that await them.
The “Why” Behind the Work
iXplore’s applied theater techniques play a critical role in making these VR scenarios resonate with students. Dramatized moments, such as solving workplace challenges or collaborating with a team to complete a project, help students feel immersed and emotionally invested in the experience. This combination of art, technology, and gamification gives students a deeper understanding of each career’s purpose and how they can contribute to it.
Expanding Horizons Across Northern Indiana
Initially, the VR roadshow will bring these immersive experiences to schools in Warsaw, Whitko, Wawasee, and Tippecanoe Valley School Corporations in early 2025. Over time, the partnership aims to expand its reach across Northern Indiana, ensuring equitable access to these groundbreaking tools for career exploration.
By addressing gaps in career education with equitable, consistent, and engaging messaging, iXplore and OrthoWorx are preparing students to thrive in future-focused industries.
A Shared Vision for Community Impact
OrthoWorx, founded in 2009 in the “Orthopedic Capital of the World®,” has long served as a catalyst for connecting industry, education, and community. Their partnership with iXplore reflects a shared commitment to equipping the next generation with the tools and inspiration to explore meaningful careers.
Through this initiative, iXplore and OrthoWorx are not just building awareness of career opportunities—they’re creating pathways for students to make a lasting impact in industries that are vital to Indiana’s economy.