SME is a nonprofit association of professionals, educators, and students committed to promoting and supporting the manufacturing industry. Its mission is to promote manufacturing technology and develop a skilled workforce. SME helps manufacturers innovate, grow and prosper by promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and connecting the manufacturing industry.
Visit the SME Website
Student members
SME is the only professional organization that represents members from all facets of manufacturing. A high school student membership is free to any student at least 13 years of age who is enrolled at a secondary education institution. They could be participating in a traditional program or non-traditional or vocational program.
SME membership provides connections to industry peers, trusted knowledge and resources on manufacturing technology and trends, and career-enhancing leadership opportunities.
Scholarships
“The SME Education Foundation annually awards millions of dollars in scholarships to students pursuing two-year, four-year or advanced degrees in manufacturing or engineering.”
Scholarships are available for graduating high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as students pursuing 2-year degrees at technical schools or community colleges. Applications are accepted from November 1 - February 1 each year with winners announced in the spring.
Mentor Program
The SME Mentorship Program connects mentors (professional members) with mentees (high school student members), allowing mentors to enhance their leadership skills and give back to the manufacturing community, while mentees get the help they need to achieve their personal, educational and professional development goals.
Other opportunities
An annual competition that invites students to create an “innovative design, which exploits the geometric capabilities of direct digital manufacturing (DDM) to the fullest.”
Teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams under strict rules and with limited time.
Each year students focus on a challenge that ranges from designing objects that help streamline processes within the manufacturing factory setting to solving real-life medical problems.
Student Summits are one-day events held in connection with major SME conferences and events. They feature keynote speakers, technology demonstrations, guided show-floor tours, and hands-on competitions. Students who attend a summit have the chance to win a $1000 scholarship.
A bi-annual competition encourages students from high schools, community colleges/vocational institutes, or universities to be familiar with engineering design and 3Dl printing.