HIGHLIGHTS ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 42 FROM THE FOUNDATION Empowering Next-Gen STEM Professionals As we reflect on the past year, the ASM Materials Education Foundation has much to celebrate. In 2024, we marked a significant milestone— 25 years of Materials Camps. For a quarter of a century, these camps have been at the heart of our mission, providing both students and educators nationwide with immersive, hands-on experiences that ignite a passion for the materials sciences technical field. Our renowned Eisenman Materials Camp brought together 34 talented students from across the country. This one-week, hands-on applied science camp offers a unique, team-based experience where students engage in intensive problem-solving activities. Under the guidance of distinguished, world-class professional mentors, student teams participate in a “forensic engineering investigation,” working to identify failure root causes and recommend corrective actions. The tremendous success of this camp highlights our ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of STEM professionals. This year, we also hosted 42 ASM Materials Camps for Teachers across the country, in Canada, and online. I had the privilege of attending the Materials Camp in Houston and am always blown away by the incredible impact it has on our educators. Seeing firsthand the energy, enthusiasm, and kinship taking place reinforced just how critical these camps are for shaping the future of STEM. As we transition into the winter season, our focus turns to our end of year appeal. The urgency to sustain the talent pipeline for the future of materials science and STEM fields has never been more important. The ongoing shortage of skilled professionals is a pressing concern. It has become increasingly clear that we must engage, inspire, and empower the next generation of STEM technicians and professionals at an early age. Without immediate action, the future of these fields—and their contributions to technological advancement—faces uncertainty. By supporting the ASM Materials Education Foundation, you are directly contributing to the solution of a national challenge. You are ensuring that the next generation is equipped to solve problems, innovate, and advance the technological capabilities that shape our world. Your tax-deductible contributions allow us to reach more educators and students than ever before, directly addressing the STEM professional shortage and ensuring the future of materials science fields. Together, we can secure a brighter future, where the next generation is empowered to lead in solving the global challenges of today and tomorrow. Julio G. Maldonado, FASM Chair, ASM Materials Education Foundation Maldonado FROM THE FOUNDATION Drake Named 2024 George A. Roberts Award Recipient Established by the ASM Materials Education Foundation in 2003, the George A. Roberts Award highlights the importance of educational outreach and is presented annually to an individual “who has made a significant impact to reach students and teachers, in efforts to increase awareness of materials and applied science careers.” The first award recipient was its namesake, George Roberts, who served the materials community with great distinction for many years. The ASM Foundation continues to proudly associate Roberts’ significant impact on science and engineering with this dedicated award. This year’s recipient, Dana Drake, has been an Eisenman Materials Camp mentor since 2012, has served as its curriculum leader for a number of those years, and was instrumental in developing and running the ASM Foundation’s virtual Materials Camp for students through the pandemic. Drake is the Metals Lab Engineer for EOS North America where she manages and develops the metals testing laboratory, increasing its capabilities and performing testing. Dana Drake (le ) receives the 2024 George A. Roberts Award from Julio G. Maldonado at the ASM Awards Banquet in Cleveland in October.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTYyMzk3NQ==