What does it mean to be an educator or role model? Someone who is looked up to by others, seen as a good example, or inspires positive change. A great time to introduce a mentee to a new career option would be during Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day on February 22nd.
The 2020 SME Education Foundation Board of Directors have taken office. The governing body of the Foundation, the board is comprised of leaders from industry and academia.
Luis Rodriguez-Perez graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Systems Engineering. A recipient of the SME Education Foundation’s Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship, Luis noted that hard work, financial support, and the encouragement of his family were critically important in his efforts to earn a scholarship.
Receiving an SME Education Foundation Family Scholarship in 2018 meant a lot to Emily Redekopp, a mechanical engineering student who’s in her junior year at South Dakota State University. Engineering is in Redekopp’s family — her father is a mechanical engineer. But she has also always had a great interest in STEM subjects, which led her to participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition as a high school student.
Hemlock High School — an SME PRIME high school in Saginaw, Michigan —senior Ben Lockwood is off to a promising start to a career in manufacturing and engineering. Ben credits access to professional equipment and industry certifications as a rewarding experience that gives him a competitive edge in advancing his future career ambitions.
Hollenstein Career and Technology Center prepares high school students for careers in manufacturing by training students in mechatronics, CNC, 3D printing and robotics. The school has gained notoriety for its prowess in SkillsUSA competitions and its recognition as the only SME PRIME school in Texas.
Unadilla Valley High School is making vast strides in implementing the SME PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) program since being temporarily thrown off course by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SME PRIME prepares Central Columbia High School students with tailored curriculum and hands-on training informed by private industry for high-tech careers in advanced manufacturing.
Students from Kouts High School explored career opportunities within the skilled trades at FABTECH. The students left the conference and event with a deeper understanding of manufacturing and how it all comes together at the end.
Industry knows that the current — and looming larger, the future — lack of skilled and prepared employees is severe. This skills gap could lead to a shortage of as many as 2.4 million manufacturing workers in the next decade. Our challenge remains the same, and our education and industry partners share that challenge: How can we attract, interest — and then inspire young people to explore the opportunities being offered?