SGIA brought the science of specialty printing to the Third USA Science and Engineering Festival this past April. Promoting SGIA’s educational resources, and screen printing as a career path, Vice President of Technical Services Johnny Shell, and Associate Manager of Education Ashley Arneson taught attendees how to screen print their own T-shirts.

“Specialty imaging is everywhere — in our stores, on our highways, on walls and buildings, in our electronic devices, and on the apparel we wear,” said Shell. “In SGIA’s interactive exhibit, USA Science & Engineering Festival attendees were given the opportunity to learn about our diverse industry, and we were excited to teach them.”

Highlighting the engineering side of screen & wide-format digital printing, the exhibit showed videos of automated equipment and heat presses, different printing processes and installation techniques.

The USA Science and Engineering Festival is a free, not-for-profit event developed to increase public awareness about the importance of science, and to encourage youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This year’s Festival was attended by more than 325,000, and featured more than 3000 hands-on exhibits, experiments, concerts and talks from leading technology entrepreneurs, and many others.

SGIA offers many valuable resources designed to help Graphic Arts educators complement their own programs and help students advance potential careers! Educator members receive benefits that include downloadable curriculum outlines, equipment and supply exchange avenues, and free entry into the Tom Frecska Student Printing Competition (deadline July 31, 2014). Interested educators should contact Ashley Arneson for details about joining SGIA.