SAMPE Journal - September/October 2016 - 5

A Note From the Technical Director

Dr. Scott W. Beckwith, FSAMPE
SAMPE Journal Technical Editor
swbeckwith@aol.com

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math: The Importance to Composites
In last month's issue we discussed the importance of "workforce development" and where SAMPE fits into that picture with its
various educational programs. We did not talk about "STEM" in that column. STEM, which stands for "Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math", goal is to excite young students about these critical areas.
Today, companies working in advanced materials and manufacturing areas require
personnel to be trained at much higher levels of technology. Composites technology -
from design's drawing board through the manufacturing and implementation stage - is an
extremely complex technological process. Building a Boeing 787 or an Airbus A380 requires
all of the aspects of "STEM" and more. These required technology skills are mandatory
at the engineering level, obviously. But today, technicians on the manufacturing floor also
need to have a broader understanding and new skills.
I had the opportunity to read Delta Airline's Sky magazine. There was an interview with
Boeing's new CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, who discussed concerns regarding the "pipeline" of
future engineers, scientists and technicians who would be building Boeing's future aircraft
systems. He noted that Boeing feels "... it's fundamentally important that we continue to
invest in the STEM area ... and ... important to the country
that we make the investment." Muilenburg further notes that Boeing is currently doing "OK" in finding
talent today but goes on to say "... we see this STEM pipeline diminishing ... it's one of the biggest
strategic challenges we face as a country."
Engaging young students in STEM activities to create excitement about manufacturing as a career
is critical if we are going to solve our workforce development challenges. I am familiar with a
number of unique approaches that are underway in my state of Utah related to advanced materials,
manufacturing, and, more specifically "composites". There are currently two unique programs
underway: Utah Aerospace Pathways and, at a major school district, "a new Composites Technology
Program". The State of Utah performed an in-depth survey of the state's manufacturing and material
suppliers using a number of SAMPE's local composites members to determine what companies
needed in terms of technology and training for staffing. The survey provided information for defining
the Utah Aerospace Pathways program that established several educational programs within high
schools and trade schools. The result will be a workforce supply connecting more rapidly and directly into the aerospace companies.
The students involved in advanced materials and composites will have much richer backgrounds and training experiences.
An even more interesting program that will effectively start at the time this issue goes to the printer, is a new high school "composites
technology" program in one of Utah's major school districts. The school district agreed to restructure, and equip, a major building
which would serve as a "composites technology training center". This "center" would
involve training two key groups: teachers who would learn composites and students
who would learn the technology as well as be able to manufacture composite parts
in the new laboratory. The students in grades 10-12 will have the unique opportunity
to learn "composites technology" in both theory and hands-on. Once they pass
the training program, students will have three paths to future workforce continued
development:
* Hire directly into a company out of high school,
* Go into a trade school for further refinement of their skills, or,
* Go on to pursue a degree at a university for an advanced degree
Either way, this is a win for the manufacturing community as they will now have a larger, more experienced workforce from which
to draw. More details on these two programs, and other STEM activities, will be presented at a panel in Anaheim, CA next month
at CAMX 2016.
SAMPE Journal, Volume 52, No. 5, September/October 2016

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