Hosted alongside SME conferences and events, SME Bright Minds Student Summits showcase the high-tech nature of modern manufacturing and promote the industry as an exciting, growing, and lucrative career path to high school students and educators – delivering insightful programming that features guided show-floor tours, technology demonstrations, and keynote speakers. SME Bright Minds Student Summits provide a platform for manufacturers to engage with the next generation of talent. What is a Bright Minds Student Summit?
Bright Minds Student Summits
"The Student Summits have truly opened our eyes to the vast array of job opportunities available in the fields of manufacturing and engineering."
– High School Educator
4,000+
Students participated since 2019
350+
Companies participated since 2019
171
High schools attended since 2019
Preparing the Next Generation Workforce
Two million manufacturing jobs need to be filled by 2030. Bright Minds Student Summits are the response to this challenge.
Recent Bright Minds Student Summit Stories
Westmount Students Connect With Leading Manufacturers at CMTS’ SME Bright Minds Student Summit
Vanessa Ng and Mohammad Mohammad — students at Westmount Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario — saw manufacturing technology in action and learned from leading manufacturers at the Bright Minds Student Summit, held in late September at SME’s CMTS event in Toronto.
Illinois High School Senior Looks to RAPID + TCT for Career Inspiration
Jacob Belser, a 17-year-old senior at Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Illinois, eagerly anticipated his involvement in the Bright Minds Student Summit that took place in early May at RAPID + TCT at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Connect with the SME Education Foundation
Stay up-to-date on what's happening with the foundation, the PRIME Program, upcoming Bright Minds Student Summits, scholarship opportunities and more.
Recent Bright Minds Student Summit Announcements
Expertise Freely Shared Yields Additive Effects on Student Success
The 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬𝐔𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, part of the National Leadership & Skills Conference, showcase top talents from 6,000 U.S. students in over 100 competitions in partnership with the SME Education Foundation. This event highlights the skill, leadership, and massive collaborative effort.
SME, Stratasys Announce Winners of 2023 SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing Competition
SME, the nonprofit committed to accelerating new manufacturing technology adoption and building North America’s talent and capabilities, and global additive manufacturing leader Stratasys, announced the winners of their cosponsored 2023 Additive Manufacturing Competition, conducted as part of the 59th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, held in Atlanta.
Almost 200 high school students joined EASTEC 2023 to experience new technologies
Our Bright Minds Student Summit at EASTEC allowed high school students to get their first taste of manufacturing with keynote speakers and guided show-floor tours of exhibiting manufacturing companies.
Upcoming Bright Minds Student Summits
Discover 2024 Bright Minds Student Summits. Inspire students across the country to pursue manufacturing and engineering careers.