Powered by SME + ATMAE The inaugural SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge Case Study Competition will take place at the 2026 ATMAE Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This fast-paced presentation competition invites manufacturing educators to showcase innovative, effective teaching practices and demonstrate their impact on student learning. Up to six finalists will be selected to present live in a 15-minute format, including a 10-minute presentation followed by five minutes of Q&A. Competition Details Call for Presenters Event: 2026 ATMAE Annual Conference Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Submission Deadline: October 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET Presented by: SME in partnership with ATMAE Overview Are you transforming the way manufacturing is taught in your classroom or lab? SME, in partnership with the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), invites manufacturing educators to participate in the inaugural SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge Case Study Competition. The competition recognizes innovative approaches to manufacturing education aligned with the SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge. Up to six finalists will be selected to showcase effective and innovative approaches to manufacturing education. Presentations may highlight teaching methods, hands-on projects, student experiences, real-world case studies, or other approaches that demonstrate creativity, measurable impact, and relevance to today's manufacturing industry. Submissions should focus on three key areas: Student Learning Impact: What changed for your students? Demonstrate measurable outcomes or other evidence of learning where possible. Replicability: How could another educator adopt or adapt your teaching method, project, lab, or case study? Alignment with the SME Four Pillars: Clearly connect your approach to the relevant manufacturing knowledge areas within the SME Four Pillars framework. SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge History of SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge Why Participate? Showcase Your Impact: Share the work already happening in your classroom or lab and highlight your innovative teaching practices with a national audience of educators and industry professionals. Elevate Your Program: Demonstrate how your institution is advancing manufacturing and applied engineering education while supporting the knowledge and competencies identified within the SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge. Earn National Recognition: Three award recipients will receive an SME crystal award presented during the ATMAE Awards Closing Ceremony. Award recipients and their institutions may also be recognized through SME and ATMAE communications. Eligibility Eligible participants include the primary instructors responsible for the educational activity featured in the submission, including faculty of all ranks, instructors, graduate teaching assistants, and lab managers who teach manufacturing or related applied engineering disciplines. For team projects, one individual must be designated as the presenter. Additional contributors may be recognized as part of the submission. Finalists must attend and present their case study in person during the competition at the 2026 ATMAE Annual Conference. Failure to present will result in forfeiture of the competition entry. ATMAE Annual Conference registration is required for all finalists. Awards Three awards will be presented by SME during the ATMAE Awards Closing Ceremony: Innovation Award: Recognizing the most innovative approach to manufacturing education. Integration Award: Recognizing outstanding integration of the SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge. Impact Award: Recognizing an educational experience that demonstrates strong student impact and the potential to be replicated by other educators or institutions. Awards will be determined based on scores from the competition judging rubric. Dates & Deadlines Submission Deadline: October 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET Finalist Notification: Week of October 12, 2026 Competition: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 Location: 2026 ATMAE Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana Selection & Presentation Format Up to Six Finalists: A blind-review panel composed of members of the SME Education and Accreditation Committee will select up to six finalists to present live at the 2026 ATMAE Annual Conference. Presentation Format: Each finalist will have 15 minutes total, including a 10-minute presentation and up to five minutes for Q&A. Presentation Materials: Finalists may use slides, physical demonstrations, or video as part of their presentation, provided all content fits within the allotted presentation time. Selected finalists will receive a presentation template with recommendations and examples. Judging Criteria Submissions and finalist presentations will be evaluated in five equally weighted categories: SME Four Pillars Alignment - 20% Pedagogical Innovation - 20% Evidence of Student Impact - 20% Presentation Quality - 20% Scalability & Transferability - 20% Ready to Submit? Applicants should plan approximately 15 minutes to complete the online submission form. You will be asked to provide: Name, title, institution, and department Title of the educational experience or case study Abstract, up to 300 words Description of student impact, up to 150 words SME Four Pillars knowledge areas addressed by the experience, including applicable foundations, pillars, and knowledge blocks Course title(s) Names of additional instructors, labs, companies, or other contributors to be recognized, listed in order of contribution All submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 2, 2026. SUBMIT YOUR CASE STUDY
