K-12 Info
K-12 Free membership
All four associations embrace a K-12 Free Perks program, available to all K-12 schools in the regions served by AMFA, CMMA, RRMEA, and TSMA. Through the K-12 Free Perks program, a school is invited to become a member of their local association at no cost and enjoy all the benefits of membership. Member schools (administration, teachers, counselors, students) are encouraged to attend general meetings and enjoy a no-cost meal, manufacturing tour, and the opportunity to engage with manufacturers!
Contact us today to sign up.
K-12 Grants
AMFA and CMMA offer Education Award programs for K-12 schools located in their service regions. The grants are awarded for projects or activities that are related to manufacturing and/or STEM. Examples include FIRST robotics, VEX robotics, classroom supplies and equipment, manufacturing field trips, and more.
Youth Apprenticeship Toolkit
Learn more about creating a youth apprenticeship program in your school with this helpful toolkit. You will find information about creating a partnership with a manufacturer in your region, requirements, costs, contacts and other resources.
A FREE tool to connect education and Central Minnesota manufacturers for career exploration
The K12Navigator.org aggregates work-based learning resources that educators can integrate into classrooms or career counselors can integrate into workforce development programs. Manufacturers in the Central and West Central Minnesota regions can connect with eager learners and develop a talent pipeline.
Robotics competition
CMMA and AMFA offer grants to participate in these robotics competitions. See grant information for AMFA, CMMA.
VEX Robotics competition prepares students to become future innovators with 95% of participants reporting an increased interest in STEM subject areas and pursuing STEM-related careers. VEX competitions capitalize on the motivational effects of competitions and robotics to help all students create an identity as a STEM learner.
- More than 11,500 teams from 40 countries playing in over 750 tournaments
- Local, regional, national, and world competitions
- Standard matches: Two alliances of two teams each playing against each other
- Robot skills challenge: One robot playing alone against the clock
- Online challenges: Unique contests using CAD, animation, essays, and more
VEX and VEX Robotics are trademarks or service marks of Innovation First, Inc. The VEX Robotics Design System is the leading classroom robotics platform designed to nurture creative advancement in robotics and knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured after school programs.
Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team “brand,” and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.
What's next after high school
What's next after high school video
LYFT Career Pathways is an excellent resource that provides information for students and jobseekers to consider for their plans after high school. This includes an interactive ROADMAP that walks students and jobseekers through the process of Career Exploration and includes a FREE worksheet to help students and jobseekers track what they learn along their journey.