The ASM Materials Education Foundation (ASM MEF) operates programs that empower teachers and engage K–12 students through hands-on materials science and engineering education. A cornerstone of this effort is the ASM Materials Camp for Teachers—a week-long, intensive professional development experience held in over 40 cities across the U.S. The program trains and equips middle and high school educators to deliver engaging, inquiry-based lessons using low-cost, easily replicable experiments that integrate seamlessly into courses such as chemistry, physics, physical science, and career and technical education (CTE). All curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), helping educators meet instructional goals while introducing students to real-world STEM applications. By focusing on key concepts in metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites—as well as processes such as forging, casting, corrosion, heat treating, and alloy development—ASM MEF programs engage diverse learning styles and empower students with varying strengths and experiences.
In 2025, ASM MEF launched the Materials Camp for Teachers – Semiconductors, co-hosted by Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in Northeastern Ohio. This specialized version of the camp focuses on foundational materials concepts as they relate to the semiconductor industry, offering educators an immersive introduction to one of the most critical and fast-growing fields in advanced manufacturing.
Participants will spend a day on the LCCC campus engaging in semiconductor-specific activities. The cleanroom portion of the experience will feature a hands-on photolithography lab, allowing teachers to explore the microfabrication techniques used in semiconductor fabrication. Additionally, educators will participate in PCB manufacturing, assembling part of a printed circuit board on the production line and taking home a completed product—offering a direct connection between classroom science and real-world application. Through a new partnership with the SEMI Foundation, all educators will also receive the SEMI Kit and walk through live demonstrations with SEMI staff onsite, further enriching the experience and reinforcing key industry-aligned skills.
ASM Materials Camps provide the foundational knowledge needed to inspire student interest and foster pathways into advanced manufacturing, technical training, and STEM careers. With year-round follow-up and support from ASM MEF, teachers and students are continuously connected to new opportunities, strengthening the pipeline from K–12 education to postsecondary education and high-demand industries including semiconductor sector.
