The Future of Manufacturing is in the Third Grade

With the help of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), our manufacturing future is starting to be shaped by investing in manufacturing education at a very young age. This summer, over 4,200 boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 14, are attending 214 sessions at the Gateway Academy, a summer camp program that introduces science and engineering. It appeals to students with hands-on, project-based courses where students have fun while applying the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. 

During these sessions, students are learning everything from how to make cars out of paper, catapults out of mouse traps and robots using computer software.Saul K. Fenster, PhD, president emeritus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), University Heights, Newark, N. J., and president of the SME Education Foundation, says that "In our current economic conundrum, the nation is finally beginning to realize how critically important the manufacturing industry is. As manufacturing job losses continue to be reported, we need to make sure young people (and parents who influence their decisions) are not confused about the issues. The excitement and self-motivated learning experience we saw at the summer camp is an example of how we can open the eyes of young people to their career potential."

It is clear that in order to keep our traditional manufacturing communities alive, and to further grow innovation, it is important that we start recognizing that the future lies within the youth of today. The reality is that careers in manufacturing are becoming increasingly enviable. U.S. policy-makers are recognizing that having a manufacturing base that is strong, efficient and innovative is essential to our country’s economic future and our country’s world environment. As companies begin to re-think off-shoring, and consider re-directing their manufacturing and production facilities back to the U.S., skilled workers are and will be needed.

As innovation expands advanced technologies, educators need to be better educated about their digitally enamored students, and how better to reach them with learning processes to which they can relate. Preparing for a career in manufacturing is no longer based on following the education standards created fifty years ago. 

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