Tennis legend Billie Jean King once said, “If you can see it, you can be it.” That’s the philosophy behind the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2024, held Sept. 9-14 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, in the East Building, Level 2. To encourage more young people to join the manufacturing workforce, the Smartforce Student Summit will engage students of all ages with hands-on exhibits, live technology demonstrations, educational conference sessions, panel discussions, and career connections. The 2024 Smartforce Student Summit is powered by AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology and SME (IMTS Student Summit booth #121600).More than 70 industry-leading companies, schools, and organizations will host engaging exhibits at the Smartforce Student Summit. Featured technologies include 3D printers, robotics, AR/VR, metrology, mechatronics, CAD/CAM design software, CNC machinery, and digital twin technology. “Career Connections” QR codes in many exhibits instantly connect students with exciting job opportunities via their smart phones. To energize educators and inspire students in K-12 schools, colleges, and community-based organizations, here are a few Smartforce Student Summit highlights: American Precision Museum (IMTS Student Summit booth #121604): Students will use their own hands to build a wobble motor and get a glimpse of the principles behind mechanical engineering and precision craftsmanship. America’s Cutting Edge (IMTS Student Summit booth #121370): Attendees can tour a 56-foot mobile lab from St. Cloud State University that offers free CNC training throughout Minnesota. RoboticsCareer.org from ARM Institute (IMTS Student Summit booth #121217): Experts will explain how to find training, internships, or jobs to start a robotics career in manufacturing. CHAMPIONNow! (IMTS Student Summit booth #121002): Camp CHAMP introduces the art of manufacturing by helping attendees experience turning, milling, laser engraving, and assembly to make personalized pens and pen cases. FIRST Robotics NEED LINK (IMTS Student Summit booth #121450): Visitors can watch demonstrations of competition robots built by Chicago-area students. HEIDENHAIN Corp. (IMTS Student Summit booth #121000): Students will see demonstrations of innovative digital readout platforms and CNC milling machines and learn about the HEIDENHAIN Educational Support Program and related tools for schools. Mitutoyo America Corporation (IMTS Student Summit booth #121420): On display will be an F1 EV car built by students involved with Illini Electric Motorsports University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and students who built it will be on hand to talk with visitors. NASA (IMTS Student Summit booth #121540): Students can meet Don Thomas, Ph.D. former astronaut, and learn about NASA’s Artemis campaign to live and work on the Moon. SMC Corporation of America (IMTS Student Summit booth #121341): Visitors get hands-on with training systems to develop professional skills in pneumatics, electro-pneumatics, mechatronics, process control, and Industry 4.0. Universal Robots (IMTS Student Summit booth #121515): Students and teachers can interact with robot demonstrations and talk with education experts. Manufacturing Ally Rally (IMTS Student Summit Amphitheater): Keynote presentations and panel discussions with manufacturing experts and thought leaders Meaghan Ziemba (Mavens of Manufacturing), Andrew Crowe (American Manufacturing Renaissance), Chris Luecke (Manufacturing Happy Hour Podcast), and Toni Neary (SME). FANUC Education (IMTS Student Summit booth 121300): For the first time at IMTS, FANUC will provide free, on-site Certified Education Advanced Automation Training for teachers in the FANUC Certifications classroom (booth #121350). The program is presented in cooperation with FANUC’s partners, Nocti (IMTS Student Summit booth #121310) and TMP Architecture. Registration is FREE for the Smartforce Student Summit, and provides access to all exhibit floors at IMTS 2024, which has more than 1.2 million square feet of manufacturing technology exhibits. For more information about the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2024, visit the website. Educators and students can register now for free.
This immersive learning environment gives young people the chance to engage with cutting-edge technologies, industry experts, and career opportunities. Join us to spark innovation!