SME and NextEnergy Team Up On Student Program to Provide Real Hands-On Help in Understanding Future Job Opportunities in Energy

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 26, 2004 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and NextEnergy, along with leading authorities in industry, research and education, have collaborated on an innovative student program that will decipher the basics of energy and alternative energy incorporating classroom learning with hands-on exercises led by universities that offer AET (Alternative Energy Technology), education and disciplines. "Energy, Sustainability and Fuel Cell Technologies," will be held on October 11, 2004 from 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., during the "Advanced Energy & Fuel Cell Technologies: Manufacturing Opportunities & Challenges Conference & Exposition," at Laurel Manor, 30900 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, Mich.

Students will learn why energy efficiency is so important. Additional topics will introduce alternative fuels (hydrogen, methanol, etc.), fuel cells 101, and advanced battery materials -- how they work, where they are likely to be used and they are a part of the sustainable world. Students and their teachers will be challenged with an energy quiz, an opportunity to assemble a solar cooker, and how to prepare an ecological footprint to measure energy consumption.

Educators will be available to students to offer direction on exciting career opportunities available in the emerging energy market. Participating colleges and universities include: Kettering University, Flint, Mich., Lansing Community College, Lansing, Mich., Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Mich., Oakland Community College, Rochester, Mich., the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.

Students will be given a roadmap on how to prepare for a future career in energy. They will leave with an understanding of the disciplines (mechanical, chemical, industrial, manufacturing, and electrical engineering) and education needed to position themselves in various technical areas including energy management, alternative energy opportunities and in the research industry -. academic and national labs. To aid teachers bringing students, SME has also arranged for additional resources for follow-up learning. These resources include NextEnergy, college and university programs, opportunities for online learning and the CD-ROM "Focus on Energy."

SME student programs are an important element in encouraging young people to take a closer look at what this exciting industry can offer as opportunities for careers in advanced technology continue to grow.

Sponsors:

Sponsors of the event include the CERA, (Cambridge Energy Research Associates) -- http://www.cera.com/ ; DTE Energy Technologies -- http://www.dtetech.com/ ; NextEnergy -- http://www.nextenergy.org/ ; WWJ 950 AM News Radio -- http://www.wwj.com/ and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (http://www.sme.org/ ).

For Additional Information:

To register for the "Advanced Energy & Fuel Cell Technologies: Manufacturing Opportunities & Challenges Conference & Exposition," call the SME Resource Center at (800) 733-4763, or visit SME's Advanced Energy and Fuel Cells Technologies Web site at http://www.sme.org/aet . To join SME, call the SME Resource Center or log on at http://www.sme.org/join . For exhibit and sponsorship information on this conference, please contact Dan Radomski at (313) 425-3147 or at dradomski@sme.org .

About SME:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the world's leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies.