STEM Savvy High School Students Connect with Industry
High school students exploring exciting careers in advanced materials and manufacturing are presenting their projects at the 3rd Annual Manufacturing Education and Training Exchange (METE) Innovation Showcase: Young People Creating America's Future." Funded by the SME Education Foundation, the event is scheduled for Monday, May 2 at Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, Wash.
DEARBORN, Mich., LYNNWOOD, Wash., April 29, 2011 — Tech-savvy teams from various high schools located in Washington's Snohomish and the Island County regions will present their STEM-based projects to local manufacturers—potential employers, who are in desperate need of skilled workers, at the 3rd Annual Manufacturing Education and Training Exchange (METE) Innovation Showcase: Young People Creating America's Future." The event is being held at Edmonds Community College, Woodway Hall, 20000 68th Avenue W, in Lynnwood, Wash. on Monday, May 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The event will open with keynote remarks by Michael Greenwood, senior manager, Aerospace Academic Alignment Team, The Boeing Company. His remarks will focus on the importance of STEM and how manufacturing relates to the community.
Says Mel Cossette, principal investigator, National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education (MatEd) at Edmonds Community College, "We want young people to be excited about their potential and we believe having them connect with real-world manufacturers will give them the critical mentoring they need."
The Innovation Showcase event provides a venue for students, teachers, and parents to explore exciting career pathways in advanced materials and manufacturing and incredible networking opportunities for education and businesses—with a focus on STEM. The free event is open to the public. Teachers, superintendants, business leaders, local government, and the community are encouraged to attend.
The event is hosted by the MTAG, MatEd National Resource Center, Edmonds Community College, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Workforce Development Council Snohomish County. Funding for the event has been provided by the SME Education Foundation with a gift of $10,000.; and a gift of $500 from SME Seattle Chapter #39.
Says Bart A. Aslin, chief operating officer, SME Education Foundation, "Our main objective in funding this event is to acknowledge and encourage the abilities of young people who are excelling in their pursuit of a STEM-based education. We believe being recognized by local business leaders, possibly their future employers, will motivate and reward them with focused career direction."
Aslin, his board of directors representing major industry, small business, educators and associations, are committed to changing public perception of manufacturing as an industry and influencing young people to use their different gifts to the best of their ability. To that end, the Foundation continues to provide financial support with awards and scholarships, and funds project-based curricula and activities designed to motivate learning for young people.
About the Manufacturing Technology Advisory Group (MTAG):
The Manufacturing Technology Advisory Group is working towards winning the skills war. A partnership comprised of Washington business, education, government, labor and community, MTAG works to address the emerging technological needs of education and the manufacturing/engineering industry. Learn more at mtag-wa.org.
About MatEd:
The National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education (MatEd) is a NSF-funded center housed at Edmonds Community College. MatEd is developing a clearinghouse in teaching materials including labs, hands-on demonstrations, modules and papers, which can easily be integrated into a variety of courses, class-room settings, and industry. The MatEd collection is expanding rapidly with peer reviewed, classroom tested educational materials. Visit www.materialseducation.org/.
About the SME Education Foundation:
The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, supporting and preparing the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists in the advancement of manufacturing education. Created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided more than $31 million since 1980 in grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations, and individual donors. Visit www.smeef.org. For information on advanced manufacturing careers visit www.CareerMe.org. And, our award-winning website for young people, www.ManufacturingisCool.com.
Questions or comments may be directed to the SME Education Foundation by phone 313.425.3300, or email at [email protected].
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