SME Education Foundation

We’re on a mission to showcase the opportunities the manufacturing industry has to offer and help prepare students to succeed.

This year, our team has been on the road, supporting students across the country through school visits, program support, student events, and scholarships. We're working hard to inspire, prepare, and equip the next generation of industry leaders.

🎓 $1.5M+ awarded in scholarships
🏆 100+ students competed in SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing
🚀 129 students engaged in student summits

Learn more → https://brnw.ch/21x4Xyn

Students & educators, this one's for you!

Registration is FREE for the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2026, September 14–19 in Chicago, powered by International Manufacturing Technology Show, AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology and SME.

Explore robotics, AI, automation, 3D printing, CNC machining, meet employers hiring for internships and entry-level roles in manufacturing, and more!

Spots fill up fast. Register free today!

👉 https://brnw.ch/21x4UMF

Meet Lance Lu, data scientist, volunteer judge, and one of the people behind the scenes at the SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing Competition.

Every June in Atlanta, Lance and other volunteers help evaluate the next generation of 3D-printing talent at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference.

"It's fun every year," he says.

Curious what a day of judging looks like? Read Lance's story here 👉 https://brnw.ch/21x4Gvk

Free for and ! Discover advanced manufacturing tech, real industry connections, and career paths you won't find in a classroom.

The IMTS Smartforce Student Summit brings students and educators face-to-face with the innovations shaping modern manufacturing, powered by International Manufacturing Technology Show, AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and SME.

🗓️ September 14-19 | 📍 McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
👉 Register free: https://brnw.ch/21x4zaH

Attention Michigan K-12 districts!

There's up to $400,000 in CTE funding available through the Michigan Department of Education and the clock is ticking. Applications close July 1, 2026.

Whether you're looking to launch a CTE program or expand what's already working, this grant can be the spark that takes it to the next level.

Here's where SME comes in:
✅ Curriculum design
✅ Equipment & setup
✅ Instructor training
✅ Ongoing professional development
✅ And more

We've helped districts across Michigan turn funding into successful, hands-on CTE programs that students love. Don't miss out on this opportunity.

Follow the link below to see how we can help your district build something amazing. 👇

https://brnw.ch/21x3mP4

SME Bright Minds Student Summits bring high school students face-to-face with the professionals shaping the future of manufacturing. At the RAPID + TCT Event, Lincoln Electric and Airgas opened their booths to students exploring what's possible.

"Participating as a student-friendly exhibitor granted us the opportunity to help students understand current career opportunities, and see our innovations in science and technology in real time." – René Cooper, Airgas

Read the full story and learn how your company can help shape the next generation of manufacturing leaders.

👉 https://brnw.ch/21x32wJ

SME PRIME students at Davison High School in Davison, Michigan, are building the skills and experience needed for successful futures in manufacturing.

With curriculum aligned to more than 45 industry-recognized credentials, and more than 15,000 credentials earned through SME PRIME since 2022, students are gaining valuable opportunities that prepare them for rewarding careers.

What does a year of impact look like?

🚀 1,000 students at Bright Minds Student Summits
🏫 11 new schools in the SME PRIME network
🎓 139 scholarships awarded

For the SME Education Foundation, 2025 was a year of momentum, powered by supporters, educators, and students ready to build something.

These aren't just milestones. They're real students discovering real career paths in manufacturing. And it's just the beginning.
Read the full 2025 Impact Report and see the stories behind the numbers.

https://brnw.ch/21x2dR4

High school students don’t usually get real-world experience like this.

Working with customers. Managing projects. Solving real problems. With SME PRIME, they do.

By bringing project-based learning into the classroom, SME PRIME connects students directly with industry, giving them hands-on experience that goes far beyond textbooks.

From designing keyboard covers for students with special needs to producing Teacher Appreciation Day gifts, these students aren’t just learning, they’re creating, collaborating, and making an impact.

As SME PRIME educator Christopher Desmond puts it:
“We do some more traditional lessons, but the project-based part is where everything comes to life.”

👉 https://brnw.ch/21x28EG

The next generation of manufacturers is taking shape in Ludlow, Kentucky.

We're thrilled to celebrate the SME PRIME program at Ludlow Independent Schools, a milestone made possible by the generous support of the Charles L. Shor Foundation.

Through advanced technology and custom-built curriculum, Ludlow students now have the tools and inspiration to explore careers in manufacturing, right in their own school.

The celebration brought together an incredible group. Congressman Warren Davidson, students and educators from Ludlow High School, and local manufacturing industry leaders were in attendance. All united around one goal, investing in the future of American manufacturing.

This is what it looks like when a community comes together to open doors for the next generation.