A new initiative from The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation aims to create strong partnerships between organizations, businesses and exemplary schools to provide a comprehensive, community-based approach to manufacturing education. PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) builds on a 5-year, $5.2 million investment in STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workforce development programs.
An initial investment of $156,00 will be divided among six model schools. Each will receive $10,000 for equipment and software updates as well as professional development; $1,000 to develop after-school technology competitions tied to organizations such as Skills USA and First Robotics; $5,000 for a Gateway Academy technology-based summer camp; and $10,000 in scholarship opportunities.
The six model schools were selected for the initiative’s first phase based on the following criteria: exemplary manufacturing curriculum and/or having a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) or Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) curriculum; skilled and dedicated instructors; engaged and active students; strong corporate or administrative support from the manufacturing community; and SME member involvement, including SME local chapters.
Selected schools include Wheeling High School, Chicago, Illinois; Kettering Fairmont High School, Dayton, Ohio; Walker Career Center, Indianapolis, Indiana; Summit Technology Academy, Kansas City, Missouri; Hawthorne High School, Los Angeles, California; and Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
