PHOENIX, AZ, Feb 11, 2015 – Dassault Systèmes , the 3DEXPERIENCE company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions, announced that two million SOLIDWORKS 3D design application licenses have now been installed at educational institutions worldwide. This milestone is testimony to Dassault Systèmes’ commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching initiatives that nurture the skills and creativity of the next generation of designers and engineers.

“In education, we want to stimulate bright ideas and creativity by providing students with the same easy-to-use design tools used by professional engineers,” said Gian Paolo Bassi, CEO, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systèmes. “SOLIDWORKS applications help students complete challenging projects like fully functional robots or solar-powered race cars and, in the process, learn lasting skills for their future professional life.”

Powered by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, SOLIDWORKS applications offer educational institutions a specialized suite of tools for engineering design, documentation, simulation and sustainable design in one easy-to-learn software package that helps teachers and students develop student skills for rewarding careers in the engineering and industrial design job markets. Video tutorials, PDF guides, project files, demo clips, the SOLIDWORKS STEM Teacher Blog and other specialized curriculum and support resources help educators optimize student learning. Students have access to 3D CAD, simulation, product data management, technical communication and electrical design tools for hands-on product design training.

Beyond the use of SOLIDWORKS applications in education, Dassault Systèmes offers support and resources to a greater user community worldwide. For years, the company has been championing a growing interest in STEM education and professions, in particular among women – traditionally the minority in STEM – by exposing the field of engineering to a wider audience and furthering the movement to encourage young men and women to discover and pursue this exciting profession.

“Construction toys develop a child’s interest in STEM subjects, but girls typically lose this interest by age eight and, as a result, today only 14 percent of engineers worldwide are women,” said Debbie Sterling, founder and CEO of GoldieBlox, creator of toys for young girls designed to teach a variety of engineering and problem solving skills, and current SOLIDWORKS customer. “GoldieBlox is determined to change this outdated equation and inspire tomorrow’s female engineers.  We rely on SOLIDWORKS applications to create educational and fun toys with this in mind, and echo the brand’s commitment to creating a stronger STEM community through education.”

The Dassault Systèmes STEM program involves :

• SOLIDWORKS community resources, including MySolidWorks online gateway, forums, blogs, user group networks and the annual SOLIDWORKS World user conference;
• Support and training of educators through Dassault Systèmes’ value-added reseller network;
• Support of over 2,300 engineering student teams using SOLIDWORKS software for AUVSI, FIRST Robotics, Formula Student and SAE competitions;

• Life-long learning through the Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate – Academic (CSWA – Academic) program that allows students to demonstrate their expertise with SOLIDWORKS applications and their commitment to professional development. In 2014, over 12,000 CSWA-Academic certificates were issued on six continents in 14 languages at institutions including Brigham Young University-Idaho, Clemson University, Colorado School of Mines, Kansas State University and TU Delft.

About Dassault Systèmes

Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systèmes’ collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 190,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.