IMTS Student Summit to Host Former Astronaut

Former astronaut Wendy Lawrence will give a keynote address on behalf of Sally Ride Science on Wednesday, September 10. The address will be part of the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2014, organized by AMT–The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Sally Ride Science provides college and career readiness tools for STEM students.

In addition to educating students, teachers and parents about careers in manufacturing, Greg Jones, vice president of Smartforce Development, AMT, says that “it’s imperative to generate interest among girls and young women for careers in STEM fields, including manufacturing.” Ms. Lawrence and Sally Ride Science will bring this message to the trade show summit.

“Once students can envision themselves as a marine biologist, engineer, astronaut or other STEM professional, there is really no stopping them,” Ms. Lawrence says. “Introducing students to the wide array of women and men working in STEM—whether through in-person contacts or through Sally Ride Science books, products and programs—is the best way to build student interest in STEM fields.”