2026 Manufacturing Education Summit

8:15 AM

Registration & Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:20 AM

Welcome Session: A Collaborative Vision

9:00 AM - 9:10 AM

Brett Conner, PhD
Chief Manufacturing Officer, SME

9:10 AM - 9:20 AM

SME Accreditation and Education Committee Overview and Key Initiatives
Ismail Fidan, PhD
Professor of Engineering Technology and Director of Grand Challenges Scholars Program and University Maker Space, Tennessee Tech University

9:20 AM - 9:50 AM

General Perspectives 

Innovations in Manufacturing Education
John Liu, PhD
Director and Principal Investigator of the MIT Learning Engineering and Practice (LEAP) Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The field of manufacturing is undergoing rapid transformation driven by advances in digital technologies and automation, shifting supply chains, and evolving workforce supply and demand. These forces have prompted educators, researchers, and industry practitioners to reexamine how and what – even where – manufacturing knowledge should be taught and learned. In this talk, I highlight current opportunities and challenges in manufacturing education, ranging from talent pipeline to manufacturing fundamentals. I then highlight recent efforts to prepare a new generation of engineers for this new manufacturing landscape, with a particular emphasis on Manufacturing Letter's recently published Special Issue on Innovations in Manufacturing Education. I conclude with future recommendations for manufacturing academia and industry to consider together.

9:50 AM - 10:15 AM

Networking Break

10:15 AM - 11:45 AM

Journal of Manufacturing Letters Special Issue - Journal Paper Highlights (Q & A)

10:15 AM - 10:35 AM

Application of Phone-Based Robotic Arm Teleoperation in Remote Hands-On Labs for Engineering Education
Ziling Chen, PhD
Visiting Scholar, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Remote manufacturing education often struggles to deliver authentic hands-on experiences. We developed TeleopLab, an intuitive teleoperation system that enables students to control a robotic arm and laboratory equipment remotely through a smartphone motion interface and commonly available meeting software. Designed for accessibility and minimal setup, TeleopLab preserves the interactivity and complexity of physical laboratories in an online environment. When deployed in an advanced manufacturing course, it supported iterative 3D printing optimization tasks in real time. The educational impact of TeleopLab was evaluated using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), with pre- and post-use data collected from six students. The results showed improvements in self-efficacy and motivation to re-engage, along with a reduction in fear of making mistakes among students during the lab activities. TeleopLab highlights the potential of a scalable, cost-effective solution for remote hands-on learning.

10:35 AM - 11:00 AM

Integrating Feminist Pedagogy into Manufacturing Education: A Digital Twin-Based Teaching Module
Anis Fatima, PhD
Assistant Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Tech University

Integrating feminist pedagogy into engineering education offers a novel pathway to make technical learning more inclusive, participatory, and socially responsive. This paper presents the design and classroom implementation of a digital twin-based teaching module that combines sustainable manufacturing concepts with student-centered learning. A CNC milling machine was retrofitted and linked to its virtual counterpart using CAD/CAM tools, open-source controllers, and a custom-developed graphical user interface (GUI). The system captures real-time data on energy consumption and tool vibration, enabling students to explore how machining parameters impact sustainability factors such as power usage and vibration - induced tool wear. Grounded in feminist pedagogical principles, emphasizing collaboration, reflexivity, and co-creation of knowledge, the module was deployed in Smart Manufacturing and Internet of Things (IoT) courses. The approach fostered a more inclusive learning environment by encouraging active participation, shared authority, and critical thinking around engineering practices. Student surveys and course evaluations indicated improved engagement, deeper conceptual understanding, and greater satisfaction. These results highlight the potential of integrating feminist pedagogy with digital twin technology to enhance manufacturing education and better prepare students for the demands of Industry 4.0 and sustainable engineering.

11:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Learning through Development of a Digital Manufacturing System in a Learning Factory Using Low-Code/No-Code Platforms
Russel Bradley, MEng, SM
Co-Founder MIT FrED Factory, PhD Candidate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At MIT’s learning factory, the FrED Factory, a defining feature of our learning model is that both the product and the factory are not only used by students but also built and operated by them. This creates an environment where students actively engage in designing and implementing manufacturing systems, making the choice of tools and platforms critical to their learning experience.

In this study, published in the Manufacturing Letters Special Issue, we examine how low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms support this model by enabling undergraduate students without prior programming experience to develop digital manufacturing systems. Using Tulip Interfaces, students created IoT-enabled Manufacturing Execution System applications for inventory tracking, machine monitoring, and digital work instructions within the FrED Factory. This pilot study, combining interviews and post-interview surveys, shows that LCNC platforms shift student effort toward systems-level thinking, with an average time split of 70% on system design and 30% on programming and debugging. All participants also strongly agreed that the project enhanced their understanding of smart manufacturing concepts.

These findings suggest that LCNC platforms are well-suited for student-driven learning factory environments. More broadly, this work informs how we select and integrate digital tools in the FrED Factory to maximize educational value while maintaining relevance to modern manufacturing practice.

11:20 AM - 11:45 AM

Key Insights from US Department of Energy Better Plants Workforce Development Bootcamps (2022–2025)
Wei Guo, PhD, PE
R&D, Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Research & Analysis Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

This study examines the effectiveness of the US Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program Bootcamps, which are designed to enhance participants’ technical skills in improving energy efficiency and optimizing operations in manufacturing facilities. Through the analysis of survey data collected from 529 participants across 9 bootcamps, the research investigates the motivations, benefits, and demographic trends of attendees. The findings reveal that skill acquisition and improvement are primary drivers for participation, with key benefits including hands-on training on diagnostic equipment and software tools, networking opportunities, and access to technical resources. The analysis shows strong participation from sectors characterized by high energy consumption and employment, such as chemical and transportation equipment manufacturing. Over 50% of participants have job titles that include “EHS” or “Energy” showing their key roles in leading energy efficiency and energy management efforts in manufacturing. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the distribution of participants across managerial, engineering, and technical roles, revealing a higher representation of managers and engineers. This observation suggests a need for targeted outreach to engage technicians, equipment operators, maintenance staff, and floor workers to ensure comprehensive workforce development. The post-bootcamp survey showed that the participants highly valued the opportunities for peer learning and idea exchange, and the benefits they gained from them. This research contributes to the advancement of manufacturing education by demonstrating the efficacy of specialized training in addressing critical industry challenges and fostering a more competent and empowered workforce.

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch 

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Industry Perspective - Industry Academic Partnerships/Collaboration

1:00 PM - 1:20 PM

Keynote: The Digital Thread: Weaving AI and Intelligence into the Future of Design and
Manufacturing
Steve Dertien
EVP Technology, PTC

The convergence of engineering design, manufacturing, and AI is one of the most consequential shifts happening in industry today. It is not a clean or simple intersection; the complexity of physical systems, supply chains, and design tradeoffs makes applying AI in this space challenging. Engineering demands precision and determinism in a domain that AI approaches probabilistically. It is also a field steeped in tribal knowledge, where the how and the why are not always coupled, making this a challenge larger than language alone. But that difficulty is precisely what makes the pursuit valuable.

For educators, it raises urgent questions about how to teach the core disciplines of manufacturing in an era of radical and accelerating technological change. For students, it represents an extraordinary opportunity to enter the field at a moment of genuine transformation. And for technologists and entrepreneurs, the convergence of AI and manufacturing represents one of the most significant commercial and creative opportunities of our time.

From design for manufacturing, software advancements, automation, machining and advanced manufacturing capabilities, and countless innovations still emerging, the potential to accelerate discovery and compress the time it takes to scale manufacturing for the next generation has never been greater. We may be standing at the edge of the next industrial revolution, one where intelligence amplifies human ingenuity across every dimension of manufacturing, accelerating our ability to scale and meet the demands of an increasingly competitive global market.

1:20 PM - 2:00 PM

Industry Academic Collaboration Panel

Moderator:
John Irwin, EdD
Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Department, College of Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Panelists:

• Steve Dertien
  EVP Technology, PTC
• Laine Mears, PhD, PE
  Director, School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering and SmartState Endowed Professor of Automotive Manufacturing, Clemson University
• Walt Pozgay, CSSGB, CSTM
  Manufacturing Training Manager, GE Appliance, a Haier Company
• Christopher Williams, PhD
  L. S. Randolph Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Networking Break & Exhibit

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Perspectives on the Future of Mfg Education and Innovation

2:15 PM - 2:35 PM

Future or Failure: Rethinking How We Educate the Manufacturing Workforce
Deb Volzer, PhD
Vice President, Workforce Development, SME

The talent pipeline is shrinking. The skills gap is widening. And the pathway into manufacturing careers remains unclear for too many young people. Drawing on nearly a century of experience, SME is leading a national effort to rethink workforce development. Working with a consortium of more than 30 community and technical colleges, this research initiative is exploring new educational pathways that accelerate learners into manufacturing careers.

This session will share key insights, emerging strategies, and the innovations needed to build a stronger manufacturing talent pipeline.

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM

Starting Effective Engineering Education Research
Marialice Mastronardi, PhD
Research Scientist and a member of the MIT Learning Engineering and Practice (LEAP) Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

John Liu, PhD
Director and Principal Investigator of the MIT Learning Engineering and Practice (LEAP) Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Efforts to document instructional innovations in engineering education often highlight meaningful teaching practices and positive student experiences. However, these efforts may fall short of effective research due to unclear problem framing, limited or misaligned evidence, and claims that extend beyond what the data support. As a result, otherwise valuable work is often positioned as experience reporting rather than scholarly inquiry, limiting its broader impact and contribution to the field. This workshop invites participants to reconsider what constitutes effective engineering education research. Through a concrete example, participants will identify common pitfalls and collaboratively transform an initial teaching innovation into a researchable study. The session focuses on three foundational elements: (1) problem framing, (2) development of meaningful research questions, and (3) alignment between research questions and evidence. Targeted at representatives from academia and industry who engage with engineering education primarily as a teaching practice as opposed to a research discipline, this 30-minute session is designed as a conversation starter. It aims to initiate reflection and dialogue on how to move from reporting teaching innovations to producing rigorous, evidence-based research.

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM 

Closing Remarks

John Liu, PhD
Director and Principal Investigator of the MIT Learning Engineering and Practice (LEAP) Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology