1. About The STEAM ENGINE Project
RI is developing a Center for Design and Manufacturing that builds on core assets such as:
Highest concentration of industrial designers in the country
Manufacturing strength in key areas including defense sector
Rhode Island School of Design and other colleges and universities providing high demand skills
The plan was developed with a USEDA Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) planning grant - $100,000 plus $75,000 Commerce RI and $25,000 from RI Foundation
A proposal for a Rhode Island designation as a ‘manufacturing community’ was not successful
Development of the Project through a DoD OEA grant was successful and secured $1,575,000
 We have heard and seen how creating a physical space can deliver several benefits –
Physical space acts as a convening location which build the community of makers, manufacturers, deisgners – the proximity of people with a shared affinity – that of making things supports collaboration and drives innovation.
Then there is the practical side of physical space with new gear costing 10’s and hundered’s of thousands of dollars have a shared resource can be the difference maker between bringing a prototype to life and leaving it on the drawing desktop.
Finally, a shared space with equipment can support rapid innovation and foster a lean startup model as opposed to long development and production cycles. With customizion being the differentiator in manufacturing today having access to be able to try on models with customers can allow Rhode Islanders to have a better advantage.

2. STEAM ENGINE | Intersection
STEAM ENGINE is working to enhance the potential at the intersection of industrial design and advanced manufacturing. We are piloting the idea of a national center for manufacturing industry innovation, business diversification and growth acceleration utilizing design and design thinking.

3. STEAM ENGINE DoD Year 1 Tasks
Task 1: Data and Analysis
Task 2: Network Development (established databases)
Task 3: Information Sharing (STEAMENGINEUSA.COM)
Task 4: Model and pilot of Design Readiness Assessments for defense related manufacturing industry
Task 5: Curriculum Development (train all defense workforce in design thinking) (established frameworks)
Task 6: Development of shared use space (ICDM)
Generated the STEAMENGINE USA Final Report

4. Innovation Center for Design and Manufacturing (ICDM)
Year 2 Tasks
Task 1: Creation of an Innovation Center for Design and Manufacturing
Task 2: Implement Design Readiness Assessments (DRAs) for 53 companies
Task 3: Development of curriculum for a design-manufacturing certificate
Exploration and researching an approach and pricing model
Develop design thinking and manufacturing training programs
Scale the programs to other OEA grantees
As we have been working with Manufacturers, researching global trends and observing the supply chain – primarily defense in the state but also beyond…
It is clear that the need for collaboration is exceeding the forums to collaborate – especially in a state with so many small manufacturers the luxury of networking is a difficult goal to achieve – but collaboration between disciplines is critical if the sector is to thrive if not just survive.
Another motive is the position that we are now in where the overall barrier to start manufacturing a product is lowering to a point of ease – but as the same time the exploration of that technology needs to ramp up so that manufacturers and makers can understand the cost benefit. Many of you have probably heard of the concept of the sharing economy – we need to help manufacturers become part of that economy.
Workforce models highlight an aging workforce and a gap in the next generation poised to step in. We need to find ways to inspire makers and dreamers to step into those spots that will be opened through retirements in the next 5-10 years.
Models

5. Contributors and Participants

6. Design Thinking and workforce development
DfMI, a new, customized business development program that helps companies’ lead manufacturing innovation and incorporate design for stronger manufacturing growth
At the Special Operations School of Design Thinking. Learning happens through doing and then critically reflecting on why we are doing what we do.
Bryant University’s “Design Thinking Certificate” consists of a series of design thinking workshops, that provide a contemporary approach to the world of design in manufacturing.
DTC 102 – Design Thinking Certificate through the Executive Development Center

7. Design for M a n u f a c t u r i n g Innovation Certificate Program
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Design for M a n u f a c t u r i n g Innovation Certificate Program

8. SOD-G Support to JSOU MET to Poland War Studies University
WHO: Two Rhodes Island National Guard Members (LTC Mike Manning & CW3 Mark Simon)
WHAT: Support Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Mobile Education Team (MET)
WHERE: The Polish War Studies University located in Warsaw, Poland
WHEN: March 6-10, 2017
WHY: SOD-G supports JSOU in providing Introduction to Design Thinking MET with the Polish War Studies University (Previously NDU /AON) in Warsaw, Poland. The Polish Senior Military Leaders requested support for design education of the Warsaw NDU’s mid-grade Polish officers. The JSOU MET provided education to 55x Polish students, 2x German students, and 1x South Korean student. This event was an expansion of the very successful five-year partnership between JSOU and the Polish War Studies University.
Design Class at the Akademia Sztuki Wojennej (War Studies University)
Course Director Ben Zweibelson provides instruction on design theory
CW3 Mark Simon provides feedback to the class on their design project development
LTC Manning gives guidance to Polish Officers on how to define the problem in design theory

9. Innovation Center for Design and Manufacturing (ICDM)
Sustainability Plans for:
Task 1: Innovation Center for Design and Manufacturing (ICDM)
Task 2: Design Readiness Assessments (DRAs), known as Manufacturing Innovation Challenge (MIC) – multiple levels of service
As we have been working with Manufacturers, researching global trends and observing the supply chain – primarily defense in the state but also beyond…
It is clear that the need for collaboration is exceeding the forums to collaborate – especially in a state with so many small manufacturers the luxury of networking is a difficult goal to achieve – but collaboration between disciplines is critical if the sector is to thrive if not just survive.
Another motive is the position that we are now in where the overall barrier to start manufacturing a product is lowering to a point of ease – but as the same time the exploration of that technology needs to ramp up so that manufacturers and makers can understand the cost benefit. Many of you have probably heard of the concept of the sharing economy – we need to help manufacturers become part of that economy.
Workforce models highlight an aging workforce and a gap in the next generation poised to step in. We need to find ways to inspire makers and dreamers to step into those spots that will be opened through retirements in the next 5-10 years.
Models
Task 3: Continue with design-manufacturing certificates of training