Inspiring Future Innovators: STEM+Manufacturing Education at APM

At the American Precision Museum, we provide hands-on STEM+Manufacturing experiences that inspire young makers to think, design, and build like engineers. Through engaging workshops, interactive programs, and teacher training, we connect students and educators with the skills that drive modern innovation.

Year-Round STEM + Manufacturing Programs

We offer dynamic learning opportunities throughout the year, including:

• School Workshops & Homeschool Series – Explore science and history through hands-on projects and solve problems through engineering design
• Engineer’s Week – Celebrate creativity and problem-solving in engineering.
• Manufacturing Day – Hands-on experiences exploring careers in manufacturing.
• Summer Programs – Interactive workshops to develop critical thinking and technical skills.
• After-School & Vacation Programs – Engaging STEM experiences that build curiosity and confidence.
• Special Event Days – In-depth, family-focused explorations of engineering themes.

Core Educational Principles

Our programming is designed to foster:

• Collaboration – Encouraging teamwork, reflection, and discussion.
• Iteration – Strengthening problem-solving through engineering and design challenges.
• Empowerment – Equipping teachers with the tools to bring more engineering into the classroom.
• Integration & Scaffolding – Aligning lessons with existing curriculum to deepen student learning.

Expanding Educational Offerings

• Themed Workshops – Explore key manufacturing concepts like Energy, Measurement, Repeatability, and Automation, using hands-on elements to connect APM’s history with the future of industry.
• Outreach & Community Programs – Strengthening local connections through engaging educational experiences beyond the museum.
• Professional Development for Educators – Training teachers to integrate engineering design practices into their classrooms with workshops aligned with NGSS standards.

Building Toward the Future

All of our educational efforts are paving the way for our upcoming Education Center and Makerspace—a hub where students and teachers will have even more opportunities to explore, create, and innovate. Learn more about the fundraising campaign that is making this project possible! 

Achieving Repeatability Kit

What’s Included?

• A teacher guide that provides an overview of each unit, Cross-Content standards, and a sample agenda.
• Seven interdisciplinary units centered around repeatability.
• One kit per student with all the physical materials necessary for the lesson.
• Two student surveys, to be taken before and after the activity, and one teacher survey to help us improve the program in the future.
• Free strategy meetings, custom curriculum materials for your class, and teaching assistance upon request.
  

  Topic	Subject
  Repeatability in Shoe-making	History
  Pen Deconstruction	STEM
  Tessellation Cookie Cutters	STEM
  Repeatable Catapult	STEM
  Bill of Materials	ELA
  Drawing Circles	Art
  Career Spotlight with Jim Stokes	Career

Educators, access your kit materials here.

Experimenting with Energy Kit

Whats Included?

• A teacher guide that provides an overview of each unit, Cross-Content standards, and a sample agenda.
• Seven interdisciplinary units centered around repeatability.
• One kit per student with all the physical materials necessary for the lesson.
• Two student surveys, to be taken before and after the activity, and one teacher survey to help us improve the program in the future.
• Free strategy meetings, custom curriculum materials for your class, and teaching assistance upon request.

Educators, access your kit materials here.

Measure the World Kit

Whats Included?

• A teacher guide that provides an overview of each unit, Cross-Content standards, and a sample agenda.
• Seven interdisciplinary units centered around repeatability.
• One kit per student with all the physical materials necessary for the lesson.
• Two student surveys, to be taken before and after the activity, and one teacher survey to help us improve the program in the future.
• Free strategy meetings, custom curriculum materials for your class, and teaching assistance upon request.
  

  Topic	Subject
  Scale Drawings	Math
  Detecting Forgeries	Art
  Optical Comparator	STEM
  Measurement Tools	STEM
  Units	STEM
  Measuring Sound	Music
  Materials Engineer	Career

Educators, access your kit materials here.

Reading Recommendations

We’ve found some great books that we think you’ll find helpful and interesting. Check them out below!