Since 1979, the SME Education Foundation has been one of the leading non-profits dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing education.
In September, the SME Education Foundation received a finalist award from Automation Alley for having the “Best Education Program of the Year.” The award honored the Foundation for its dedication to the advancement of grades K-16 manufacturing education – specifically for the Gateway Academy program and providing more then $29 million to youth programs, scholarships and awards.
The SME Education Foundation is dedicated to advancing manufacturing education through youth programs, scholarships and grants. Our youth programs inspire students' interests in STEM by showing them real-world, problem-solving applications in each discipline, as well as exposing them to fascinating technologies they might not have encountered. In addition, the SME Education Foundation provides resources to help interested students pursue career paths in these fields.
Funding for youth programs comes from a variety of individual, corporate and foundation donors.
Why are youth programs important?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that each year through 2012 employers will be seeking:
The pipeline of science and engineering talent is decreasing, while demand is increasing. Employment in science and technology occupations has grown faster than students graduating with engineering degrees. In addition, retirement is likely to have a major effect over the next decade. Twenty-nine percent of all science and engineering degree holders in the labor force are age 50 or over.
Letters of Endorsement