FCA Foundation Partners with SAE to Expand STEM Education in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio
Students throughout multiple Midwest states will get a big surprise when they return from spring break. The SAE Foundation is expanding its hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio classrooms thanks to a grant from the FCA Foundation, a charitable foundation created by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Benchmarked to national standards, SAE’s A World In Motion® (AWIM) program incorporates integrated STEM learning experiences to reinforce classroom education. For example, students may construct a balloon-powered toy car to learn about the concepts of jet propulsion, friction, air resistance and design. The FCA Foundation grant enables SAE to bring its AWIM curriculum, materials and training for teachers to an additional 2,500 K-8 students. To date, SAE’s STEM programs have reached more than 5 million students and 30,000 volunteers have participated in AWIM.
“The FCA Foundation has been an incredible partner of the SAE Foundation for many years,” said Lori Gatmaitan, SAE Foundation Director. “This year, we’ve partnered to target their support throughout multiple communities, reaching a broad spectrum of students who otherwise may not have access to hands-on, engaging STEM programming.”
In total, FCA Foundation funding is supporting 35 classrooms in Toledo, Ohio school districts, 20 classrooms in Belvidere, Illinois, and 20 classrooms near Kokomo and Tipton, Indiana.
Participating schools include Chase STEMM, Reynolds, McTigue, MLK, Beverly and Raymer in Toledo; Lincoln Elementary and Belvidere South Middle School in Belvidere, Illinois; Elwood Haynes and Maple Crest Elementary Schools in Kokomo, Indiana and; Tri-Central and Tipton Middle School in Kokomo, Indiana.
Students in these communities will experience hands-on, project-based learning that aligns with educational standards and teaches students not only critical STEM skills, but also how to work in teams and present and defend their ideas.
“We are pleased to partner with SAE to bring this educational opportunity to more students and teachers,” said Christine Estereicher, FCA Foundation COO and Director, State Affairs, Civic Engagement & External Affairs, FCA US LLC. “We believe that inspiring young, bright people to pursue a STEM education is essential to developing the next generation of engineers and scientists, as well as creating and sustaining strong and empowered communities.”
AWIM provides students with the skills needed to succeed in real-world work environments and helps connect their classroom learning with real-life application. During the program, students engage in the Engineering Design Experience, which includes setting goals, building knowledge, designing, building, testing and presenting their findings to an audience of peers and/or teachers. Much more than a math and science program, AWIM teaches students valuable lessons in critical thinking, project management, inquiry and analysis, communication and teamwork, while providing a well-rounded educational opportunity that instills a strong foundation of skills and knowledge needed to succeed in school and high-tech careers.
About SAE International
SAE International is a global association committed to being the ultimate knowledge source for the engineering profession. By uniting over 127,000 engineers and technical experts, we drive knowledge and expertise across a broad spectrum of industries. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including programs like A World in Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™.
About the FCA Foundation The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA, supports organizations and initiatives that help empower people, build strong, resilient communities and generate meaningful and measurable societal impacts particularly in the field of education.