Discover the Hands-On Opportunities at the Student Summit That Are Shaping Future Innovators!

The Smartforce Student Summit is a pivotal event for students exploring careers in manufacturing and technology. This year, its focus is on demonstrating the expansive opportunities available within the industry and ensuring that students understand that careers in manufacturing are diverse and accessible, offering them a personal and immersive experience.

By urging exhibit partners to tailor their displays to students’ educational needs, the summit aims to show that manufacturing careers are not limited to traditional roles, but to an array of opportunities for creative and technical minds alike.

The summit features a mix of traditional manufacturing companies, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Many of these exhibitors are also present elsewhere at IMTS, but have specially curated exhibits for the summit, like Haas and FANUC. These adaptations are designed to fit within school environments, offering a practical entry point for educational institutions.

In addition to hardware-focused companies, the summit also includes software providers and curriculum developers. These exhibitors present educational tools aimed at high schools, colleges and universities, with an increasing focus on reaching younger students. This reflects a strategic shift to engage students from middle and elementary school levels, addressing the drop-off in STEM interest typically seen in female students between fourth and seventh grades and hoping to encourage their interests and aspirations.

Educational Institutions and NGOs

The summit features a range of educational institutions and NGOs. Notable exhibitors include:

• American Precision Museum: For a hands-on experience, the American Precision Museum’s STEM+ Manufacturing Pathways activity enables students to build a "wobble motor.” This educational project can offer a glimpse into the principles of mechanical engineering and precision craftsmanship. 
• NASA: NASA’s Artemis campaign aims to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement and to learn how to live and work on another world as NASA prepares for human missions to Mars. NASA is collaborating with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. NASA is also landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.
• ARM Institute: Powered by the ARM Institute, RoboticsCareer.org connects students and workers to robotics opportunities in manufacturing. The RoboticsCareer.org booth features hands-on demonstrations to show visitors how to find training, internships or jobs, and help visitors to understand the skills needed for a robotics career in manufacturing.
• National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC): An Affiliated Council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the NCATC catalyzes a network of higher education and industry-led strategic partner resources that advocates, advises and promotes the use of advanced technology applications to enhance economic and workforce development programs and services. Its booth focuses upon emerging technologies, work-based learning, industry aligned skills development and inclusive learning environments.

Colleges and universities, including the Illinois Institute of Technology and Ohio State University, are also participating. These institutions are showcasing student projects and providing a glimpse into the curriculum and opportunities available in their programs.

The Smartforce Ampitheater

The Smartforce Amphitheater hosts a series of educational and workforce development conference sessions throughout the week. These include both traditional conference panels and Lightning Learning sessions — short, focused discussions designed to engage small groups of students in interactive learning. Visit IMTS.com/smartforce to view the schedule.

Additionally, the summit will feature mobile labs equipped with CNC machining, robotics and other advanced technologies. These labs offer hands-on experiences, enabling students to engage directly with the equipment.

The Student Summit, which began in 1998, has continuously adapted to meet the needs of students and educators. Recent years have seen a greater emphasis on accessibility and practical engagement. This approach not only benefits students, but also encourages regular exhibitors to consider new ways of demonstrating the relevance and feasibility of their products for smaller businesses.

By providing hands-on experiences and educational resources, the summit aims to demystify the industry and inspire the next generation of engineers, technicians, creatives and innovators.