LIFT To Host Materials Science Camp for Local Teachers in Detroit

July 2, 2018 

LIFT To Host Materials Science Camp for Local Teachers in Detroit

Teacher Development Workshop provides teachers with techniques and experiments to ignite student interest in advanced manufacturing education and careers

DETROIT — LIFT – Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow, the Detroit-based Manufacturing USA Innovation Institute, announced today it will host 20 Michigan high school teachers for a week-long workshop in partnership with ASM Materials Education Foundation to develop the educators’ understanding of materials science – the foundation of all manufacturing.

The ASM Materials Camp for Teachers will be held July 9 – 13 in the LIFT Lightweighting Facility, a world-class innovation lab housing nearly $50 million in advanced manufacturing equipment for research and development in both metals and composite materials. This workshop is part of a nationwide outreach and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education initiative to prepare high school and middle school teachers to engage students in physical science, chemistry, and other Materials Science courses, and interest them in advanced manufacturing careers.

The ASM Materials Education Foundation sponsors teacher camps in 20 states, Canada, and Brazil, with 35 host educational institutions. This is the first camp to be hosted in a Manufacturing USA Innovation Institute. Trained, experienced instructors – primarily educators themselves – will teach the teachers in professional development workshops, using project-based learning activities that they can take back to their home schools and classrooms.

LIFT initially became involved with the ASM Materials Camp for Teachers in 2015 when the institute created lightweight metal and materials content and activities for the camp curriculum. The Institute also supported expansion of the camp program to new states, and now is becoming a host for Michigan teachers.

“Teachers are one of our most valuable resources for passing along critical career information and engaging students in experiential learning,” said Emily DeRocco, education and workforce director for LIFT. “They are essential partners in developing the talent pipeline for advanced manufacturing. Since the skills gap is among the most significant challenges our manufacturers face today, we must equip these teachers with a strong foundation in Materials Science so that they can help develop our next generation engineers and manufacturers.”

LIFT is also leading a collaboration with the two Manufacturing Innovation Institutes focused on additive and digital manufacturing to develop and launch a comprehensive, three-year, Materials Science and Advanced Manufacturing curriculum that blends interactive multimedia learning with virtual simulations and hands-on, project-based learning experiences to develop our next generation of engineers and manufacturers. The curriculum will be available for high schools and community colleges beginning this fall.

“There is a growing need for materials science in the classroom; materials topics are great motivators in any engineering, technology or science course due to the accessible, real-world activities,” said Carrie Wilson, executive director, ASM Materials Education Foundation. “The ASM Materials Camp for Teachers is a proven program that to date has helped nearly 10,000 teachers strengthen their STEM curriculum and teaching. Integration of the lessons learned at Materials Camp for Teachers in the classroom can help spark student interest and discovery for in-demand advanced manufacturing career opportunities.”

Space for upcoming camps across the country is available for high school or middle school science, chemistry, or physical science teachers. To learn more about the ASM Materials Camp program visit, www.asmfoundation.org.

The ASM Materials Education Foundation provides for the advancement of scientific and engineering knowledge through its support of education and outreach programs. Volunteers enable the ASM Foundation to provide opportunities for young people, encouraging today’s youth to pursue careers in materials, science and engineering.

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ABOUT LIFT:

LIFT, one of the founding Manufacturing USA institutes, and part of the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation program, is a Detroit-based public-private partnership dedicated to developing and deploying advanced lightweight metal manufacturing technologies and training programs

to better prepare the workforce today and in the future.