About the SAMPE Foundation

Our Mission

The SAMPE Foundation is the only professional society foundation focused exclusively on materials and process engineering STEM education at the K-12 level. We believe the pipeline to tomorrow's engineers starts in middle school classrooms, not university lecture halls.

We fund teachers, programs, and resources that put hands-on materials science education into K-12 schools worldwide — with a particular focus on reaching underserved communities where access to quality STEM programming is limited.

Our Vision

SAMPE Foundation is pivotal to every new material innovation and process solution. The Foundation exists to ensure that vision extends to the classroom — building the next generation of materials and process engineers from the ground up.

Core Values

• ✓Knowledge transfer — making expertise accessible at every level
• ✓Creativity and innovation — funding ideas that push boundaries
• ✓Professional engagement and inclusion — welcoming all backgrounds
• ✓Absolute integrity — in every grant decision and stewardship of donor funds

Programs

Dahlgren Award — Recognizing outstanding K-12 teachers who inspire students in math, science, and engineering. Named in honor of SAMPE's legacy of technical excellence.

Special Awards Grants — Funding novel K-12 STEM projects proposed by SAMPE members and chapters worldwide. Open applications, no deadline, awards up to $10,000.

High School STEM Program — Partnering with SAMPE chapters to identify and support high school programs developing the next generation of materials engineers.

Brent Strong Book Award — Honoring educators who use the Brent Strong composites textbook to advance materials science education in K-12 classrooms.