FMA Supports STEM Initiative For Suburban Chicago High School

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA; Rockford, IL) is taking a leading role in helping a suburban Chicago high school implement a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum. STEM incorporates all disciplines including the arts, languages, and humanities alongside a focus on career certifications, college partnerships and technology to prepare students for post secondary opportunities.

On February 11 Jim Warren, director of education for FMA, announced Wheeling High School?s change to a STEM program. The school is located at 900 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling, IL.

?STEM provides skill-based learning opportunities for students interested in becoming our next generation?s leaders in design innovation and advanced manufacturing,? says Warren. ?We are proud to support the school?s transition to STEM and hope more local youth will be encouraged to consider a career in the vocational trades.?

Next year, Wheeling will offer classes that most high schools don?t, including metal working, computer engineering and architectural design. Students also can achieve certification as a nursing assistant and work in a special engineering and architectural lab complete with a 3D printer, CNC lathes and mills, robotics workstation and more. The school teamed with local industry and manufacturers to construct the state of the art prototyping fabrication lab.

?The new lab provides students interested in engineering, architecture, and advanced manufacturing with hands on design experience, industry certifications, and college credit articulation,? adds Warren.

FMA is a professional organization with more than 2,100 members working together to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry. Founded in 1970, FMA brings metal fabricators and fabricating equipment manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, networking events and the Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show.

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Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl., 815-227-8286, www.fmanet.org