SME Helps Students Learn About Manufacturing During The National Engineers Week 'Future City' Competition

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 13 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is committed to advancing the education of today's students as well as preparing students for future career choices. For more than ten years, SME has been an active participant and sponsor of student competitions, both regionally and nationally, during National Engineers Week (February 22- 28, 2004). The Future City Competition encourages students to expand their minds and SME proudly sponsors the "Best Manufacturing Zone" award given to student teams participating in the regional competition, Thursday, Jan. 2, 20042, 2004 at the Laurel Manor in Livonia, Mich.

At the national competition in Washington, D.C., February 22-28, the team of seventh or eighth graders that wins the first-place runner-up position in the regional Future City competition will receive the SME "Best Manufacturing Zone" award of $2,000.

The qualifications necessary to be considered for the "Best Manufacturing Zone" award state that each student team must create a detailed manufacturing plan of each futuristic city to a panel of engineer judges and defend the viability of the plan. The competition recognizes those futuristic cities that best demonstrate the strategic placement of industrial zones, environmental sensitive issues and address social issues. The quality of life during the planning stages is also a component the judges examine. The regional winners will advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C. The regional winners will receive trophies and the national first-place runners up will receive $2,000 to be contributed to the advancement of the school's technology programs.

The "Future City" competition is designed to promote technological literacy and engineering careers for students. Students get a hands-on, real- world experience inspiring innovative problem-solving and teamwork that also triggers further interest in math, science and engineering, and the practical application of principles.

Since 1992, National Engineering Week has recognized the globalization of professional engineering and honored and encouraged top students to explore the many avenues consistent with an engineering career.

About SME

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the world's leading resource Where Manufacturing Comes Together -- both people and information -- to advance manufacturing knowledge. Innovation, productivity, flexibility, and continuous improvement are key ingredients to success in the constantly evolving world of manufacturing.

At the core of everything SME does is the belief that continuous learning is the most effective way for individuals and organizations to accomplish these objectives and gain a sustainable competitive advantage.

Manufacturing creates wealth. By providing resources and opportunities for manufacturing professionals to develop and utilize new knowledge, improved skills, and manufacturing solutions, SME helps you grow personally and professionally and, in turn, contributes to the economic health of the companies, the industries and the nations we serve.

Since it was formed in 1932, SME has worked to make engineers, companies, educators and others successful in their quest to advance the manufacturing industries.

The quest continues. We hope you will join us. Visit www.sme.org .