DEARBORN, Mich., June 3, 2008 – Contributions from companies and organizations that understand the need to address future engineering workforce issues have allowed the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation's Gateway Academies to spread across South Carolina. There will be 20 Gateway Academies taking place throughout the state this summer. A record number of secondary-school students will now have the opportunity to take part in the weeklong day camps, which offer hands-on learning experiences involving real-world engineering activities." The SME Education Foundation is committed to leading businesses and organizations into meaningful partnerships with our communities and schools,” said Bart Aslin, director of the SME Education Foundation.
"By combining our resources and efforts, we can stimulate creative ideas that help address our country's important educational needs.”The Gateway Academies will take place in the following cities: Anderson, Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, Darlington, Greenwood, Hanahan, Irmo, Johnston, Mt. Pleasant, Orangeburg, Summerville, Westminster and Williamston.The companies and organizations that contributed to the programs have been instrumental in supporting manufacturing and manufacturing education in South Carolina.
They are: Capsugel (a division of Pfizer), Emerson, Colonial Life, Davis & Floyd, Eaton, Fujifilm, Goodrich, Foundation for a Greater Greenwood and the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.Gateway Academies are a collaborative effort between the SME Education Foundation and Project Lead the Way (PLTW). They take place during the summer and are taught by PLTW-certified teachers. The goal of the academies is to encourage more students to participate in PLTW classes and eventually pursue careers in engineering.
About the SME 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 to participate in a global economy. The Foundation has provided more than $24 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.
About Project Lead the Way
Project Lead The Way is a not-for-profit organization that promotes pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students. PLTW forms partnerships with public schools and higher education institutions and the private sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from our educational system.
