Discovery Education, Arconic Foundation launch Manufacture Your Future Teacher Challenge

The accelerated advancement of technologies like 3-D printing, robotics, and artificial intelligence creates a new realm of career possibilities in manufacturing for students. Silver Spring, Md.-based Discovery Education, a provider of digital content and professional development for kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms, and Arconic Foundation, the independently endowed philanthropic arm of Arconic, have announced the first-ever Manufacture Your Future Teacher Challenge.

The program calls upon educators to inspire students in grades 3 to 12 to take the first step toward exploring and pursuing modern manufacturing careers. Teachers working alone or in teams will create a video pitch and a written proposal for an in-school experience that will bring manufacturing careers to life for their students and support them in exploring different career pathways in advanced manufacturing. The winner will receive a $5,000 grant to put the proposal into action at their school.

As manufacturing continues to evolve and require new skill sets, employers need qualified workers who are passionate about the industry. This program empowers educators to connect classroom-based STEM lessons to enriched, real-world career experiences so that students have opportunities to gain valuable workplace skills before graduation.

“Innovation is fundamental to manufacturing, and this challenge aims to open students’ eyes to the endless possibilities available to them in advanced manufacturing,” said Arconic Foundation Vice President of Global Communications and Program Development Suzanne van de Raadt. “Teachers foster design thinking and creativity in the classroom that lends itself to innovation.”

Through the Manufacture Your Future partnership, Arconic employees also will guide students through the development of 3-D-printed parts for commercial and space vehicles during a virtual field trip on Oct. 5 in honor of Manufacturing Day^SM.

The competition closes on Oct. 19. For more information, visit www.manufactureyourfuture.com.