Clone of 2027 Blue Sky Competition Submission Form

Submission Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026 (11:59pm ET)

OVERVIEW
Are you transforming the way manufacturing is taught in your classroom or lab?

The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), in partnership with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), offers this inaugural competition highlighting manufacturing education teaching excellence aligned with the SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge.

Up to six finalists will be selected to present and showcase their most effective and innovative approaches to manufacturing education. Each finalist will highlight current teaching methods, hands-on projects, student experiences, and real-world case studies that demonstrate creativity, impact, and relevance to today’s manufacturing industry.

WHAT MAKES A STRONG SUBMISSION?
The strongest proposal will center on one specific teaching innovation and clearly demonstrate:

Student Learning Impact — What changed for students? Share measurable evidence where possible.
Replicability — How could another instructor 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.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

To enter the competition, complete all required fields below and submit your entry by the submission deadline Friday, October 2, 2026 (11:59pm ET).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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.

AWARD & RECOGNITION

Three awards will be presented by SME during the ATMAE Awards Closing Ceremony on Friday, November 20, 2026.

Awards will be determined based on the competition judging rubric.

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.

KEY DATES

Submission Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026 (11:59pm ET)
Finalists Notification: Week of October 12, 2026
Finalist Presentations: Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Submission Type

Please provide applicant's information below.

Name

First NameLast Name

Suffix

(PhD, PE, MS, etc)

Title / Role

Organization / University

Email

example@example.com

Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number

Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Please provide information for all team members below.

Team Member 1: Name

First NameLast Name

Team Member 1: Suffix

Team Member 1: Title / Role

Team Member 1: Organization / University

Team Member 1: Email

example@example.com

Team Member 1: Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number

Team Member 1: Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Team Member 2: Name

First NameLast Name

Team Member 2: Suffix

Team Member 2: Title / Role

Team Member 2: Organization / University

Team Member 2: Email

example@example.com

Team Member 2: Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number

Team Member 2: Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Student Experience Details & Manufacturing Knowledge Alignment

Title of the Educational Experience or Case Study

Abstract

0/300

Describe Student Impact

0/150

SME Four Pillars of Manufacturing Knowledge Areas Addressed

(check all that apply under each category)

1. Materials and Manufacturing Processes

2. Product, Tooling and Assembly Engineering

3. Manufacturing Systems and Operations

4. Manufacturing Competitiveness

Course Title(s)

Names of additional instructors, labs, companies, or other contributors to be recognized, listed in order of contribution

Statement of Consent

I agree to the use of my personal information as outlined in the SME Privacy Policy: https://www.sme.org/global/privacy-policy/