High school students interested in discovering how to build their own guitar learned the science and art behind the craft at two summer workshops offered at Purdue University.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., July 31, 2008 — High school students interested in discovering how to build their own guitar had the opportunity to learn the science and art behind the craft at two summer workshops offered at Purdue University. Mark French, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology and organizer of the workshops, said that both workshops were modeled after the Purdue Guitar Workshop, which was held for the second year this past July.

Said French, "We reached out to high school students to get them interested in technology; but specifically about modern advanced manufacturing processes. There was a lot of interest last year from high school students, so we decided to create opportunities for them that contain more of an educational bent but still would be a lot of fun."

The Summer Manufacturing Engineering Institute (sMe Institute) High School Guitar-Making Workshop, was funded through a $25,000 grant from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation (SME-EF) and was offered during the week of July 29-Aug. 1. Open to all high school students in the 10th-12th grades, the class met daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Knoy Hall of Technology, located at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

SME-EF summer camp experiences are held around the country during the summer months to introduce students to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and then link them to the partner schools using Project Lead The Way^® curriculum. Visit www.pltw.org.

At the workshops, students designed and manufactured their own acoustic-electric guitar. Attendees received a complete kit of materials, including a guitar body and neck with most of the machining already completed. Participants then tailored the final shape of the body and neck, as well as add other custom touches, such as paint.

The course was conducted by Purdue faculty and staff, including French, who has worked with several major guitar manufacturers and has been making his own instruments for 15 years. He also teaches a class during the academic year on instrument manufacturing and testing in which students build and test an acoustic guitar.

Brad Harriger, a professor of manufacturing engineering technology, offered his insight on advanced manufacturing processes. Richard Couch, director of engagement at Purdue's Center for Advanced Manufacturing, offered insight on large-scale manufacturing.

French said he is especially interested in reaching out to women and minorities, groups that he said are traditionally not attracted to careers in advanced manufacturing. "There is a national shortage of qualified workers in the industry, so getting kids interested early is important," he said. "There is a huge demand for our students. We want to dispel the myth that using power tools and large machinery is just for boys. Creating a learning environment where everyone isn't the same is an important step in changing attitudes."

About the SME Education Foundation:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation was created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979 as means of transforming education in North American colleges and universities. It is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing manufacturing education. Its approach is to inspire youth to pursue careers in manufacturing; 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. 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