SME PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) directly enhances the manufacturing and engineering talent pipeline by partnering with industry to build cost-effective and tailored manufacturing and engineering programs in high schools across the country. PRIME schools reach over 60 communities across 22 states where each high school is supported and informed by local manufacturers.
The SME Education Foundation annually awards millions of dollars in scholarships to graduating high school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students pursuing two-year, four-year or advanced degrees in manufacturing or engineering.
The SME Education Foundation annually awards millions of dollars in scholarships to graduating high school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students pursuing two-year, four-year or advanced degrees in manufacturing or engineering.
Pontiac High School (PHS) was accepted into the SME PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) program in 2020-21. PHS received a grant from PRIME that allowed it to create new manufacturing career pathways for students and purchase state-of-the-art equipment: a three-piece Festo MecLab, a Festo Didactic AC/DC Training System, a Verisurf part tester, a Starrett PMI kit, and a variety of hand tools from Starrett and Snap-on.
Whitehall High School students explore manufacturing while learning about the engineering process as they train on Dremel 3D40 3D printers and tour local manufacturing companies during class field trips.
Wheeling High School prepares its students to be innovative and productive leaders in STEM. The students involved in the SME PRIME initiative relate classwork to real-life by experiencing manufacturing up-close during their experience at the FABTECH student summit.
The SME PRIME schools (Barberton High School, Copley High School, Norton High School and Wadsworth High School) provide high school students with access to relevant curricula, modern equipment and qualified, engaged instructors to inspire and prepare them for pursuit of career opportunities within manufacturing.
Roush Industries is making a difference by investing in the SME PRIME schools initiative to prepare Starkweather Academy students for opportunities as machinists, welders and fabricators. The company helps to inform and provide modern equipment, tailored curriculum and hands-on training for the school in Plymouth, Michigan.
Grand Haven High School’s manufacturing education program includes multiple career pathways, each made possible through input, engagement and investment from local manufacturing partner, Shape Corp.