We believe in nurturing curiosity and passion for metallurgy from an early age. Our K-12 initiatives are designed to introduce young minds to the exciting world of metalcasting and forging, sparking interest in STEM fields and potential future careers in the industry.
We offer engaging, interactive workshops that bring the fascinating world of metallurgy to life for students of all ages.
Workshop Highlights
- Mini Foundry Experience: Students get to cast their own small metal objects using safe, low-temperature alloys.
- Participants learn about the principles of forging through hands-on activities with malleable materials.
- Students pick their own shape during the workshop for a personal flare.
- For some students, this is the first time they’ve participated in any activity that promotes metallurgy or manufacturing.
- Students learn about the importance of metalcasting to the Department of Defense.
- Students are introduced to different careers paths; metalcasting is not often explored in high school STEM programs.
We also sponsor and participate in STEM fairs, encouraging students to explore metallurgy-related projects.
“It filled up so fast, I didn’t think it was going to work. I wasn’t expecting such high quality, but this is one of the best chess pieces I’ve seen!”
– Bentley Lewis, 8th grade
Get Involved
Workshops are generally partnerships between METAL hubs and local schools. Hosts bring in a group of students to participate in fun, short-term, hands-on projects. To learn more about what our workshops are like, read our blog.
Are you a teacher, school administrator, or parent interested in bringing METAL’s K-12 initiatives to your school or community? Contact our K-12 Initiatives Coordinator, Ralph Workman, at rworkman@iacmi.org to learn more about our programs and how we can tailor them to your needs.