SHOW PREVIEW
Smartforce Student Summit
For a view of the STEM classroom of the future , and to learn about careers available today , educators , school administrators , students and parents can visit the ‘ Smartforce Student Summit ’ at IMTS 2024 . Registration is now open for the Summit and includes access to the IMTS show floor , where more than 1,600 exhibitors will represent the breadth of manufacturing technologies .
The Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2024 enables students to explore STEM education and career pathways through interactive exhibits . The exhibits emphasize interaction , heavily focus on digital manufacturing technologies and appeal to students ( ages K-16 ). Nearly 70 exhibitors have created education-oriented booths and interactive events for students , which will be held on Level 2 of the East Building of McCormick Place .
“ We have always focused on the manufacturing technology classroom of the future ,” outlined Greg Jones , Director of Strategic Programmes and Partnerships , SME . “ This year , we designed the experience to provide students with a sense of belonging in our industry , providing them with engaging , hands-on exhibits that will encourage them to seek an education in STEM and career pathways in our industry .
“ The Smartforce Student Summit will help students to understand what an education in design , mechatronics or machining means and how it opens the door to careers as technicians , engineers , entrepreneurs and more ,” he continued .
The Smartforce Student Summit is now coproduced by AMT , which owns and produces IMTS , and SME , the workforce development organisation in the North American manufacturing industry .
Approximately 12,000 students and educators from 46 states in the U . S . participated in the 2022 Smartforce Student Summit , and the 2018 edition saw a record attendance of nearly 24,000 visitors . Jones anticipates about 20,000 at this year ’ s event , drawing the most students from Illinois , Wisconsin , Indiana , Michigan and Ohio . About 70 % of the audience comes from secondary education institutions , and 30 % is postsecondary .
“ The future of manufacturing depends upon a strong workforce , and AMT and IMTS have a long history of engaging with K-12 schools , colleges and community organisations so we can expose students to STEM-oriented careers ,” confirmed Catherine Ross , Director – Community Engagement , AMT .
“ We do a lot of work behind the scenes , such as helping educators to plan a successful visit to IMTS . Bussing often appears as a challenge and some public schools do not realize that they can use Perkins V funding for transportation costs associated with excursions and extended learning opportunities tied directly to career-technical education coursework , [ including ] IMTS ,” she added .
Smartforce Student Summit Exhibit partners participate in IMTS ’ s Smartforce Career Connections , a digital career fair connecting them with well-paying , open jobs with high-profile companies in the manufacturing technology , aerospace and space exploration industries .
IMTS visitors who wish to support STEM programmes can participate in the ‘ Miles 4 Manufacturing ( M4M )’ 5K run / walk along the shores of Lake Michigan . Held on the Wednesday morning of IMTS week , M4M has raised nearly US $ 200,000 since 2014 .
“ Because the IMTS trade show pays all hard costs of producing the event , 100 % of the money raised from sponsorship and registration fees is distributed to schools and STEM programmes throughout the United States to support advanced manufacturing education ,” said AMT . n
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