DEARBORN, Mich., April 21, 2008 — The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation announced today that it has committed $1.4 million for youth programs in 2008 that inspire students to pursue manufacturing and engineering careers. The funding will support Gateway Academy programs across the nation, as well as Project Lead the Way's (PLTW) "Gateway to Technology” middle school curriculum.
The SME Education Foundation's 2008 funding will support 179 Gateway Academy programs in 25 states. This project-based experience is designed to introduce secondary school students to the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and is intended to recruit students into PLTW coursework at the middle and high school levels.
In addition, the SME Education Foundation will launch an Aerospace Institute in Colorado and a summer Manufacturing experience (sMe) in Indiana. These programs target high school students and are intended to link students directly to specific career pathways.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to create and support the Gateway Academy programs because they have such incredible potential to inspire students to pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering,” said Bart Aslin, director, SME Education Foundation. "By investing in these programs, we have a chance to make a real difference in the future of manufacturing and, as a result, the future of America's economy.”
The SME Education Foundation has contributed more than $3.5 million to support youth programs and initiatives that inspire, support and prepare young people for careers in manufacturing since being established in 1979.
The SME Education Foundation's 2008 funding will support the following Gateway Academy programs with partnerships noted:
* California: 20 Gateway Academies, with support from Intel and Solar Turbines
* Colorado: 12 Gateway Academies, with support from Intel and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs
* Iowa: one Academy, with support from John Deere
* Illinois: three Gateway Academies, with support from Caterpillar
* Michigan: 17 Gateway Academies, with support from Automation Alley, Ford, Chrysler and Haworth
* Minnesota: six Gateway Academies, with support from Andersen Windows, 3M and Kern Family Foundation and H.B. Fuller
* Missouri: 20 Gateway Academies, with support from Emerson, Harley-Davidson and Kauffmann Foundation
* New Jersey: two Gateway Academies, with support from Andersen Windows
* New York: Gateway Academies, with support from Autodesk
* Ohio: 22 Gateway Academies, with support from AEP, PPG Industries and Emerson
* Pennsylvania: seven Gateway Academies, with support from Heinz Foundation
* South Carolina: 20 Gateway Academies, with support from South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, Capsugel, Eaton Corp., Colonial Life Insurance, Fujifilm, Davis & Floyd, Greenwood Partnership Alliance and Goodrich Corporation
* Wisconsin: 13 Gateway Academies, with support from Kern Family Foundation, Rockwell Automation, and Harley-Davidson
About the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation The Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation is one of the nation's leading non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing manufacturing education. Its approach is threefold: to inspire youth to pursue careers in manufacturing; to support students studying for a career in an engineering-related field; and prepare these students through its Manufacturing Education Plan grant program in colleges and technical schools. The Foundation has provided more than $21 million in grants, scholarships and awards. The Education Foundation was created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979 as a means of transforming manufacturing education in North American colleges and universities. It also has an award winning Web site to foster interest in manufacturing.
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