DEARBORN, Mich., February 22, 2006 - Dynamic opportunities for middle school students to learn more about career opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, science and technology at STEPS (Science, Technology & Engineering Preview Summer) camps are being expanded and accelerated by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation (SME-EF). Corporate funding has been provided by the Caterpillar Foundation, DaimlerChrysler Corporation and Ford Motor Company. In 2006, STEPS camps will be held at 12 schools in 7 states.

STEPS was created in 1997 at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, a Malcolm Baldrige award-winning university, as part of a major effort to attract more women and minorities into the field of engineering early in their academic life. Almost $1.3 million has been invested in STEPS to inspire more than 4,000 young people to explore careers.

Workshops taught by college professors with extensive backgrounds in engineering and technology introduce campers to designing, manufacturing processes with curriculum including flying their own remote-controlled airplanes or building autonomous robotic vehicles. At the Advanced STEPS camps, students learn to design and launch a rocket payload introducing them to aeronautics, electronics, pneumatics and team building. Fun activities such as plant tours, pizza parties and swimming balance the program.

For information and applications on the 2006 STEPS camps, contact the individual schools or visit www.sme.org.

Illinois:

Bradley University
Peoria, Ill.
Sponsor: Caterpillar Foundation
June 18-23 - a co-ed, day camp for 9th-12th grade students.
Contact: Richard L. Green at rlg@bradley.edu

Michigan:

Central Michigan University (New)
Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
July 17-21 - a day camp for 8th and 9th grade girls
Contact: David Kelly at kelle1ds@cmich.edu


Gogebic Community College (New)
Ironwood, Mich.
July 24-29 (Possible 2nd week), a day camp for 6th--8th grade girls
Contact: Lorrie S. Stahl at Lorrie.Stahl@gogebic.edu

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Mich.
June 19-22, June 26-29, a day camp for 7th grade girls - ages 11-13.
Contact: Margo Dill at dillm@gvsu.edu

Oakland Community College (New)
Auburn Hills, Mich.
Sponsor: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
July 30-Aug. 5 - a residential camp for 10th - 12th grade girls (Minimum age 16).
Contact: Marikay L. Clancy at mlclanc2@oaklandcc.edu

University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, Mich.
Sponsor: Ford Motor Company
June 18-23, June 25-30, a residential camp for 9th and 10th grade girls.
Contact: Dan Maggio at maggiodd@udmercy.edu

Minnesota:

University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, Minn.
Middle School: June 25-29, July 9-13, July 16-20 and July 23-27 - a residential camp for 6th grade girls.
High School: June 18-22, a residential camp for 10th grade girls.
Contact: Jacki Kubal at jkkubal@stthomas.edu

South Dakota:

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (New)
Rapid City, S.D.
July 9-14, residential camp for 6th and 9th grade girls.
Contact: Nancy Anderson-Smith at nancy.anderson-smith@sdsmt.edu

Wisconsin:

University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, Wis.
Middle School: July 9-13, July 16-23, July 23-27, July 30-Aug 3 - a residential camp for 10th grade girls.
High School: June 18-23, a residential camp for 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade girls.
Contact: Pete Heimdahl at heimdahlp@uwstout.edu

In 2006, SME-EF and Project Lead The Way® -a not-for-profit organization that promotes pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students - signed an agreement to fund and create a framework for enhanced STEPS curriculum to be offered in pilot programs in the greater area of Rochester, NY, and Riverside, Calif., and San Diego, Calif. Visit www.pltw.org.

About the SME Education Foundation:
The SME Education Foundation is one of the leading non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing manufacturing education through grants to colleges and universities, scholarships and fellowships, and student outreach programs. More than $19 million has been awarded in cash grants, scholarships and special awards. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) created the SME Education Foundation in 1979 as a means of identifying competency gaps and transforming manufacturing education in North American colleges and universities. Visit www.sme.org/foundation.

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If you have any questions or comments, please contact the SME Education Foundation by phone (313) 425-3300, e-mail foundation@sme.org, or Fax: (313) 425-3411