CGIF and Belden Brick partnered to create a Virtual Field Trip for students worldwide.
The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation (CGIF) recently partnered with Belden Brick to host a virtual field trip that gave teachers and students around the world an inside look at how bricks are made. Led by plant manager Scott Gerber, at Belden Brick’s Plant 6, the tour walked through each stage of the brickmaking process, from raw material straight out of the ground to the finished brick ready to be used in building.
Scott has been part of Belden Brick for 35 years, but his journey started while he was still a student at Kent State University. What began as a part-time college job turned into a lifelong profession. After graduation, Scott joined the company full time and has been involved in the brickmaking process at Belden ever since. He’s a great example of how dedication and hands-on experience can lead to a rewarding career in ceramic materials.
CGIF Program Manager Nathan McIlwaine (left) guides a conversation as Plant 6 Manager Scott Gerber (right) answers students’ questions during the Belden Brick Virtual Field Trip.
During the virtual field trip, Scott began by showcasing the fireclay and shale used to form bricks. By adding water and precisely mixing the clay and shale powders, it is compacted in a vacuum pug mill and pushed through an extruder. A long column of green brick emerges and is cut to shape, allowing Belden Brick to create a wide range of customized designs for its customers. The tour continued through the drying, firing, and glazing stages, giving participants a firsthand look at the craftsmanship and precision involved in brick production.
As Scott described, brickmaking is a highly coordinated process that depends on many parts working together at once. Each employee has their own type of job and technical and educational background and plays a critical role in keeping the operation running smoothly, much like an orchestra, where every instrument must perform in harmony to create the final piece. Teachers found this behind-the-scenes access especially valuable, with several commenting that their students loved seeing the factory line, the glazed bricks, and the full production workflow, experiences they said they would not have been able to see otherwise.
While Scott walked the audience through the plant, Dr. Nathan McIlwaine, CGIF’s Program Manager, guided the experience behind the screen, fielding questions from curious students and passing them along to Scott in real time. “How hot does the kiln get?” “Can you make bricks any color?” “How long does it take to make a brick from start to finish?” Each question sparked moments of discovery, turning the tour into a truly interactive experience rather than just a lesson.
An example of the custom brick shapes and colors that Belden Brick is able to make for their customers.
Students and teachers weren’t just learning how bricks are made; they were discovering the people and possibilities behind them. Scott’s enthusiasm for his craft brought the industry to life. Many viewers began to see materials science not as an abstract field, but as a world full of creativity, innovation, and real career opportunities. One teacher shared that the tour “exposed my students to jobs in our backyard,” while another noted how much students appreciated hearing about “job satisfaction, pride in work, and the various job opportunities” available in manufacturing.
By the end of the event, the impact was clear. Participants’ favorable opinions of materials science rose by 12%, their awareness of career paths increased by 33%, and teachers felt 10% more confident introducing these ideas in their classrooms.
More than 1,000 students from 4 countries and 20 U.S. states participated in the live virtual experience, representing grade levels from kindergarten through college. The event successfully connected classrooms to real-world applications of materials science, helping inspire the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals.
To watch the full virtual field trip, you can view the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/z2oVV9G8OVY?si=qPMknIxpqWBYgMEE
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