SME, Stratasys Announce Winners of 2025 SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing Competition

Core Insights - The 2025 Additive Manufacturing Competition, co-sponsored by SME and Stratasys, showcased the talents of students in additive manufacturing technologies during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference [2][4] - The competition aimed to educate students about additive manufacturing while providing hands-on experience applicable to real-world products [4][5] - This year marked the introduction of middle school students to the competition, expanding its reach to younger participants [7] Competition Overview - A total of 100 students from 39 states participated, representing three middle schools, 34 high schools, and 13 post-secondary institutions [4] - Nearly 500 parts were printed using Stratasys 3D printers during the three-day event [4] - The competition challenged students to design and prototype electric vehicles using additive manufacturing, focusing on sustainable transportation [8] Awards and Recognition - Winning teams received gold, silver, and bronze medals along with scholarships of $1,500, $1,000, and $500 from the SME Education Foundation [9] - Gold and silver medalists were awarded professional-grade Prusa MK3S 3D printer kits, while bronze medalists received mini 3D printers [9] - Middle school winners received UltiMaker Sketch 3D printers and all participants received gift bags related to additive manufacturing [10] Certification and Skills Development - 94 students took the Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals Certification Exam, with a pass rate of 67% [13] - Each student received a bundle of 20 Tooling U-SME classes valued at nearly $400 to prepare for the exam [13] - The competition emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and technical skills, preparing students for careers in manufacturing [14] Industry Impact - The partnership between SME and Stratasys aims to invest in the future of additive manufacturing and foster innovation among students [13] - The competition serves as a platform for students to engage with cutting-edge tools and real-world challenges in manufacturing [5][14] - The involvement of industry leaders like Autodesk, SolidWorks, and UltiMaker highlights the collaborative effort to enhance education in advanced manufacturing [2][5]