HIGHLIGHTS ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MARCH 2025 53 FROM THE FOUNDATION FROM THE FOUNDATION Committed to Teacher Professional Development As president of the ASM Materials Education Foundation Board of Directors, I am privileged to witness firsthand our work’s profound impact on the future of materials science and engineering. Every day, our programs ignite curiosity, inspire innovation, and empower educators and students to dream big in the ever-evolving STEM fields. The value of these efforts is perhaps best captured from Sarah Morales, who shared her journey: “In creating my materials science course, I started with the PowerPoints from camp and added to them to create a full-year course. I also utilized all of the labs I learned in camp, and we all had a blast! My students enjoyed the class and learned so much that enrollment grew significantly this year, with three very full sections! My school even purchased a kiln for raku projects, and master teacher Brianna Richardson generously volunteered to do a test run. This support made a huge difference. For some students, materials science became the first science course where they found academic success because it was relevant to their careers, such as welding and auto collision, and hands-on without heavy math requirements. Teaching at a career center allowed me to tailor content to their career tech labs, and collaborating with our welding instructor added practical applications to the science. We are even planning a field trip to a metalsmithing factory this year.” The Foundation’s unwavering commitment to teacher professional development is top of mind this year as we prioritize opportunities for educators in underserved communities. We want to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has access to high-quality education in materials science. By investing in these educators, we will multiply our impact, reaching hundreds of students who can one day shape the future of our industry. In addition to expanding access, I am thrilled to share that our Materials Camps program is growing! This year, with three new camp locations, we will provide immersive, hands-on learning experiences that leave lasting impressions on students and teachers alike. With this expansion, we can inspire even more young minds and support more educators in delivering engaging materials science content in their classrooms. Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous support of our community. To all ASM International members, we need your help now more than ever. The Foundation’s work—from running impactful teacher camps to providing cutting-edge resources for classrooms—relies on donations and partnerships. Every dollar invested in the ASM Materials Education Foundation is a dollar invested in the future of our field. Together, we can make a material difference—thus, the name of our capital campaign: Making a Material Difference. Join us in this mission by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word about our programs. With your help, we can build a stronger, more inclusive future for materials science and engineering. Julio G. Maldonado Chair, ASM Materials Education Foundation OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS Undergraduate Design Competition This competition encourages the strengthening of design curricula in materials science and engineering departments. The awards include: First Prize: $2000 + $500 travel assistance + $500 to the department for support of future design teams; Second Prize: $1500 + $500 travel assistance; Third Prize: $1000 + $500 travel assistance. Deadline June 30. Student Chapter Grants These grants support Material Advantage student chapters in their outreach activities. Grants of $500 each are available. Deadline November 15. Student Materials Camp This popular program, designed for this Falls’ rising junior and seniors, utilizes hands-on learning principles of applied math, physics, and chemistry led by a distinguished world-class faculty. The program is aimed at stirring students’ interest in science and getting them excited about materials engineering careers, as they learn to be team players and become “science detectives” at the camp. asmfoundation.org. Teacher Materials Camp This weeklong program for K-12 teachers demonstrates how to use low/no cost simple labs and experiments with everyday materials that can be integrated into existing math/science lesson plans. These simple activities and experiments are proven to actively engage students in learning more about applied science. asmfoundation.org. Kishor M. Kulkarni Distinguished High School Teacher Award This award honors the accomplishments of one high school science teacher who has demonstrated a significant and sustained impact on pre-college age students. Award: $2000 cash grant plus the recipient’s travel cost of up to Maldonado
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