ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- It started as a bus trip from Rockford, 100 miles east to Chicago. That's all it took to open up a vast new world of possibilities for some local students.

"Just to see the stuff they made and what they invented."

"Maybe prototypes different things they have for us to see for us young people so we can get a feel for what's out there in the world."

Filled with high expectations, 260 middle and high school students attended the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago today. The event featured thousands of exhibitors including over a dozen manufacturers from Rockford. From Machines to gadgets and even a precision robot, the students were enticed by just about everything they could see and touch. Tools and processes representing the latest innovation in research and technology.

"Everything we have and see like building structures airplanes how its made all the engineering and technology behind it ."

" The goal of the show was for students to relate the skills learned in the classroom like math and science and apply it to modern day manufacturing in hopes of sparking a career path."

"This is what they need to find a job later in life."

While Bernal has his sights set on being an engineer, he knows what ever field he chooses, he will keep an open mind, knowing one thing leads to another, like in the manufacturing world.