Summit Technology Academy Named Exemplary for Manufacturing Education

Nov. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- DEARBORN, Mich., LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo.,— The SME Education Foundation has named Summit Technology Academy (STA), Lee’s Summit, Mo., an exemplary school for its specialty career-related programs in advanced manufacturing with emphasis on work-based learning and industry mentors.

The SME Education Foundation is taking a community-based approach to manufacturing education and creating strong partnerships between exemplary schools, businesses and organizations. Summit Technology Academy is one of six in the nation selected for the first phase of a new initiative, PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) launched in the fall of 2011.

Summit Technology Academy was selected based on their exemplary, technology-based manufacturing education curriculum, which includes Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) developed by Project Lead The Way (PLTW), skilled and dedicated instructors; engaged and active students; strong collaborative and administrative support from the manufacturing community, and having SME member involvement, including SME Kansas City Chapter 57.

As an exemplary school, Summit Technology Academy has been granted $26,000 by the SME Education Foundation which includes $10,000 to update equipment, software and/or professional development, $1,000 to support their involvement in competitions tied to organizations such as SkillsUSA and/or FIRST Robotics; $5,000 toward a Gateway Academy —a PLTW technology-based summer day camp, and $10,000 to support scholarships with provided connections.

“High-achieving students have an opportunity to determine career training while they are in high school, determine their strengths and weaknesses and refine and accelerate their course of study. Summit Technology Academy allows students to capitalize on their energy and ability to learn with their peers, it’s an excellent process,” says Bart A. Aslin, chief executive officer, SME Education Foundation.

PRIME builds on the SME Education Foundation’s $5.2 million investment in STEM education which targets three critical issues: transforming manufacturing education, changing public perception of manufacturing, and addressing the shortage of manufacturing and technical talent in the United States.    

Other PRIME exemplary schools include: Kettering Fairmont High School, Dayton, Ohio; Walker Career Center, Indianapolis, Ind.; Hawthorne High School of Engineering, Los Angeles, Calif.; Wheeling High School, Wheeling, Ill., and Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Summit Technology Academy offers a highly recognized engineering and biomedical curriculum designed by PLTW being offered in numerous school districts across the country. Their introductory courses are offered at many of the sending schools in the surrounding school districts. Introductory engineering courses include: Introduction to Engineering & Design, (IED); Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA), and Principles of Engineering (POE).

Students can advance these studies through PLTW capstone courses, such as Digital Electronics, Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) and Engineering Design and Development offered at STA. In addition, Principles of Biomedical Sciences and Human Anatomy & Physiology/Human Body Systems are introductory biomedical courses offered at several area high schools. Students can advance their biomedical studies through PLTW capstone courses, such as Medical Interventions and Biomedical Innovations offered at Summit Technology Academy.

The administration at STA constantly monitors career education programs across the country as well as job outlook and making sure their facilities reflect advanced technologies. Says Summit Technology Academy Principal, Elaine Metcalf, “Our relationships with business and industry help determine the focus of the programs we offer. We look forward to working with the local SME Chapter to further our relationships with local manufacturers.”

Reaching young people at an early age is critical to the future of advanced manufacturing. The Gateway Academy, a PLTW summer day camp, will be introduced at the Summit Technology Academy in summer 2012 for middle-school students from the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and surrounding cities. Students will learn about engineering and manufacturing using leading-edge technologies in hands-on learning projects which will include robotics, aeronautics and eco-design.  This experience will prepare students for the Engineering Design and Development and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) curriculum.

Designed in cooperation with industry partners, these programs allow students to work on a state-of-the-art 3-D printer; and for rapid prototyping, HAAS CNC lathes and mills, CNC Plasma Cutter, CNC training stations, robotic work stations, and more. The facility provides students interested in engineering, architecture and manufacturing with hands-on design experience and a competitive edge for work or degree programs.

A major strength of the PRIME initiative is the connection it creates between schools, local manufacturers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and local SME Chapters. SME Kansas City Chapter 57 provides support to students. Michael Miller, CMfgE, Plant Manager, Webco Manufacturing, Inc., Olathe, Kan., and chapter chair, says, “We support Summit Technology Academy by actively providing plant tours, mentoring, and job shadowing opportunities. We look forward to expanding the number of local manufacturers to work with them.”
 
The PRIME initiative helps students by providing access to www.CareerMe.org. The SME Education Foundation introduced the web portal in 2009 in partnership with the National Center for Manufacturing Education (NCME). The website encourages and provides young people in grades 11-14 with information they need on advanced manufacturing careers, regional and local access to companies, industry professionals, technologies and colleges and universities.

About Summit Technology Academy:
Summit Technology Academy (STA) created in 1997 by the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District is located on the campus of the Summit Technology Center in Lee’s Summit. It is an off-campus pre-professional learning opportunity for high school students seriously interested in the course technology-based courses of study.

About Community Partnerships:
Summit Technology Academy educational, business and community organization partners include:   KC STEM Alliance, Metropolitan Community College, University of Central Missouri; the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Chapter 57.

The school district also has a Career Pathways Advisory Team. Current members include: Affinis Corporation, Bartlett & West, Inc.; Black & Veatch; Burger & Brown Engineering; Business and Technology College; City of Lee’s Summit; GE; HDR Archer Engineering; Kahan Chevrolet; Lawler Gear Group; Lee’s Summit School District; Metropolitan Community Colleges; Pinnacle Search Group, and Plastic Enterprises Co., Inc.

About the SME Education Foundation:
The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, supporting and preparing the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists in the advancement of manufacturing education. Created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided more than $31 million since 1980 in grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations, and individual donors. Visit the SME Education Foundation at www.smeef.org. Also visit our award-winning website for young people at www.ManufacturingisCool.com, and www.CareerMe.org for information on advanced manufacturing careers.

Media Contacts:
Bart A. Aslin, chief executive officer, SME Education Foundation, 313.425-3300, baslin@sme.org

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The nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to advancing manufacturing education through awards, scholarships and technology-based youth programs.