I’m not an economist, but it’s clear to me that if I were a country, I’d want my economy to be grounded on the bedrock of making.

BETHLEHEM, PA—Robert Bosch LLC and Bosch Rexroth Corp. have awarded four grants, totaling $100,000, to three Pennsylvania colleges to support science, technology, engineering and math education.

KNOXVILLE, TN—Innovative manufacturers are targeting schools to let young people know there’s more to manufacturing than pulling levers on an assembly line.

A couple weeks ago, I took part in the second annual Manufacturing Day, visiting a contract manufacturer of components and a cutting tools supplier.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Intel Corp. hired 74 new employees last year, but only 19 of them were New Mexico residents at the time they were hired. The chipmaker says finding qualified candidates with advanced engineering degrees is becoming increasingly difficult, not just in New Mexico, but all over the country.

HEBRON, KY—An innovative program here is designed to get more high school students to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing.

WARRENDALE, PA—Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Inc. has donated $900,000 to the Society for Automotive Engineers Foundation to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in Georgia between 2012 and 2014.

CHICAGO—The Association for Manufacturing Excellence will host a “Tweet Chat” Aug. 17 to discuss the most effective ways to grow U.S. manufacturing. Engineers can follow the chat using the hashtag #AMESkillsGap.