The Ford Academy of Manufacturing Sciences @ General McLane (FAMS Academy @ GM) is an innovative, three-year program to prepare high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors for careers in manufacturing, engineering and skilled trades. To compete in the global marketplace, companies require advanced, efficient manufacturing methods. These methods, in turn, require educated employees who understand technological processes. Currently, there is a shortage of such employees. Yet even as industry leaders project an increasing demand for employees with the right kinds of skills, many students are not fully prepared for tomorrow's work force.

FAMS Academy @ GM is an academically rigorous program designed to introduce students to the concepts and skills needed to understand, work with, and manage the complex and rapidly evolving processes on which tomorrow's manufacturing will depend.

The FAMS Academy @ GM objectives are to:

increase student awareness of career opportunities in a wide variety of manufacturing environments.

offer students opportunities to learn science, math, technology, and communication skills in real-life contexts.

encourage students to pursue post-secondary and university education.

Recognizing the need to educate students about and for the needs of the new manufacturing sector, Ford Motor Co. developed FAMS as a career academy. It is applicable to any manufacturing industry. FAMS has been operating successfully since 1990, and is now available nationwide. The FAMS Academy @ GM selected our students in the Spring of 1998 and offered the first course in September of 1998. Students who have been selected for the FAMS Academy @ GM have displayed a high level of competency regarding a combination among the following areas: grades; attendance; and behavior. Our academy feels strongly that we are involving top students here at General McLane.

 

Students who participate in the FAMS Academy @ GM will:
become team players.	increase their ability to apply/generalize.
develop good problem-solving skills.	strengthen their computer skills.
broaden their content knowledge.	develop a business/workplace awareness.
improve their communication skills.	understand the need for quality education.

As a FAMS Academy @ GM graduate, a student will:

possess a better understanding of how mathematics, science and technology are used in the workplace.

understand the economic and political impact of manufacturing in a global economy.

develop the ability to make decisions based on quantitative and qualitative data.

be a better citizen and a more productive employee because of his/her problem-solving and work-based learning experiences.

be more aware of the numerous career opportunities in the world of manufacturing.

have had the opportunity to participate in a summer internship in a manufacturing facility to learn about business organization and processes.

FAMS Academy @ GM graduates will receive recognition through:

a FAMS Academy Diploma provided at the graduation ceremony.

special mention in the General McLane commencement program.

documentation of successful completion of FAMS on their official transcripts.

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content courtesy of Zack Panitzke

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