Ford Motor Fund grant- funding accelerates training in math, science and technology with support to the SME Education Foundation's Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (PAS) Scholarship, and Gateway Academy, a nationwide initiative for middle-school students.

DEARBORN, Mich., August 21, 2008 — Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, and a highly-recognized industry leader committed to furthering the development of America’s future engineers, scientists and technical workforce, has awarded a grant of $90,000 to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation.

An award of $50,000 will support the SME Education Foundation’s Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) Scholarship. Former Ford PAS students who are applying to college and want to pursue a degree in technology or engineering can apply for this annual $10,000 Ford PAS Scholarship, which can be used at any accredited college or university in the United States.

“It is critical that students in the United States acquire advanced skills in math, science, and technology to maintain our competitiveness on the world stage. We need to be in a position where we can recognize our students for their intellectual and academic achievement.” says, Mike Schmidt, Contributions Director for Education, Ford Motor Fund.

The SME Ford PAS Scholarship is awarded to graduating students of Ford’s PAS award-winning educational program, created by Ford as part of its efforts to engage and excite students in science, technology, engineering, and math. Ford PAS is an academically rigorous high school curriculum with high-quality interdisciplinary learning experiences that challenge students academically and develop their problem-solving, critical thinking, innovation, and communications skills through local partnerships with business and higher education.

An award of $40,000 will support the Gateway Academy, a nationwide initiative of the SME Education Foundation designed to introduce middle school students from diverse backgrounds to the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students attending co-ed, one-week summer camps, learn how to brainstorm ideas, solve problems, and build remote-controlled airplanes, robotic vehicles and rockets. This curriculum prepares middle and high school students for pre-engineering coursework offered by Project Lead the Way^®.

“Employment needs are growing faster than students graduating with engineering degrees,” says Glen Pearson, president of the SME Education Foundation. “We appreciate our collaboration with the Ford Motor Company Fund and having their financial support.”

As industry demands on the workforce increase, so must student knowledge of 21st century skills. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employers will be seeking 17,000 industrial and manufacturing engineers, 14,000 mechanical engineers, 14,000 engineering technicians, and 273,000 metal and plastic production workers every year until 2012. These numbers indicate that young people need to learn more about these highly-skilled jobs and how beneficial math and science can be to a successful, well-paying career.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services:

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford operates. Established in 1949 and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, Ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.community.ford.com.

About the SME Education Foundation:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation was created by SME in 1979 as a means of transforming manufacturing education in North American colleges and universities. As one of the nation’s leading non-profit 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