3D Systems Corporation, SME Create Advisory Board For M.Lab21 Initiative

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Three-D printer firm 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) and SME (formerly the Society for Manufacturing Engineers) announced on Wednesday, August 27, that the founding members 3D Systems, SME and key collaborator, America Makes (the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute), as well as representatives from Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), Johnson Controls Inc (NYSE:JCI), Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), Deloitte and National Institute of Standards and Technology were creating an advisory board for its collaborative M.Lab21 Initiative.

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The advisory board will support, provide leadership and advocate for the M.Lab21 initiative. With a broad range of expertise and resources, the advisory board will offer strategic direction for program as well as provide subject matter expertise and best practices. Advisory board members will also leverage their own spheres of influence to develop community support for the initiative within organizations, schools and workplaces.

Details on 3D Systems’ M.Lab21 Initiative

M.Lab21 plans to install a 21st-century manufacturing lab in dozens of high schools nationwide. This new lab will revolutionize high school industrial arts, career and technical education. Through this initiative, 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) and SME are creating an integrated ecosystem of hardware, software and training programs designed to foster digital literacy and empower the next generation with critical digital manufacturing skills.

Participating high schools will be provided 3D scanning and printing equipment, development boards, as well as design, prototyping and manufacturing curriculum; all of the tools and resources students need to acquire the skills they need for the manufacturing and design jobs of the future.

Statements from M.Lab21 Initiative participants

“We believe a culture of making, personal expression and innovation is essential to keeping the U.S. on the leading edge of education and stimulating economic activity,” noted Carlos Contreras, U.S. Education Director, Intel. “Whether challenging people to think differently or providing the technologies that can bring ideas to life, Intel supports the maker movement to encourage innovation whether in classrooms, labs or garage workshops.”

“M.Lab21 is the latest commitment we are making to deliver 21st century technology skills to students through our Make.Digital initiative,” explained Leanne Gluck, Director of Social Impact for 3DS. “Collaboratively, 3DS and SME invite teachers, educators, nonprofits and companies passionate about education, addressing the skills gap and advanced manufacturing workforce development to join our M.Lab21 initiative and help us drive innovation, technology and learning.”

“SME has been immersed in and supporting the additive manufacturing community for nearly 25 years, and working to accelerate the adoption of this technology across the manufacturing industry,” Jeannine Kunz, managing director of workforce and education for SME pointed out. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with these industry advisors to drive awareness and education of additive manufacturing in U.S. high schools, and ultimately strengthen the next generation of the manufacturing workforce.

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