The Thomas Blog

Manufacturing Day 2020: STEM Resources for High School and College Students

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many schools to shift away from in-person instruction toward a remote learning environment, the challenge of maintaining student engagement takes on increased significance. This is especially true in courses that involve STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

When taught in a traditional in-person setting, STEM courses combine education in the theoretical treatment of the subject (gleaned from written material as found in textbooks) with the practical treatment of the subject (developed via hands-on work from labs, experimentation, and the use of instruments and materials). When shifting to a remote learning environment, the techniques for educating students on the underlying principles of a subject are much easier to transfer successfully than are the more practical hands-on aspects.

To help fill this gap, we have identified some resources that may be used to provide students at the high school or college level with practical hands-on projects that they can perform which will help them supplement their education in STEM subjects.

The resources below contain a mix of different potential project ideas, many of which can be performed from home with a minimal need to purchase special suppliers or materials. Other projects from the resources below, especially those at the college level, will likely require students to make some investment in materials, components, and equipment that would not usually be found in the typical household. These are higher level projects that normally would be accomplished in a college lab class, possibly in a collaborative group setting, under the guidance of an instructor or advisor.

Thomasnet.com® Buyer Experience Updated with Thomas Account Features

At Thomas, we understand that having an easy way to search, evaluate, and connect with top suppliers is key to getting your job done. After speaking to thousands of industrial professionals, we are excited to launch the new Thomas Account to meet your sourcing needs. Thomas Account is equipped with a suite of free and powerful sourcing tools that make supplier discovery a breeze, plus an intuitive dashboard to help you organize important information, including ways for you to manage your data and privacy settings.

 

13 Sourcing Tips To Identify New Quality Suppliers

When most buyers plan on identifying a new supplier, they are usually tempted to focus on the best price. However, concentrating only on low costs can hurt you in the long term. That's because shaving a few cents off the price of a product is no help if the quality is below standard, and the component or material does not arrive when you need it.

Instead of solely focusing on cost, focus on quality by incorporating these 13 tips into your sourcing strategy:

What Is A Supplier Diversity Certification And What Are The Business Benefits

Implementing a supplier diversity program has evolved into a must-have in many U.S. companies. More stakeholders and policy makers are increasingly seeking out minority-owned, disadvantaged and small businesses. Companies that have long-standing relationships with reliable suppliers are seeing the benefits of diversity programs — and it’s making a significant impact in supply chain.

Thomas Introduces Thomasnet.com Registered And Verified Programs Plus Supplier Badging

Thomas has been dedicated to helping industrial buyers and suppliers to connect with each other for over 120 years. As technologies have evolved and best practices in marketing and sales have changed, we’ve grown our toolsets to help make sure that industrial distributors and manufacturers have access to solutions that drive new business. To help support manufacturers who are searching for qualified buyers in targeted industries, Thomas has created Registered and Verified Thomasnet.com Programs. 

Product Sourcing Trends For Q1 2019, As Told By Game Of Thrones

Winter is here (seriously, spring, where are you?), and the first quarter of 2019 is officially over. 

As an industrial company, you are always looking for ways to connect with B2B buyers. But what are those buyers looking for? With less than one week before the final season of Game Of Thrones premieres, we took a look at sourcing activity of some of the most useful elements of Westeros and beyond the wall on the Thomas Network at the end of Q1 to help you answer that question (and possibly win the Game of Thrones).

B2B Buying Trends For November 2018

Manufacturers are always searching for ways to connect with more B2B buyers. One of the best ways to do just that is to find out what those B2B buyers are searching for themselves — and we can help.

Supply Chain Trends For October 2018

As an industrial supplier, you are always looking for ways to connect with B2B buyers. But what are those buyers looking for?

Supply Chain Trends For September 2018

Keeping up with the trends and changes that are shaping the supply chain is critical when it comes to marketing to — and connecting with — industrial and B2B buyers.