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Students Showcase Engineering Projects During SAE/ESD Benefit

20 April 1999

Local Students Showcase Engineering Projects During SAE/ESD Foundation Benefit, May 12, Detroit

    WARRENDALE, Pa., April 20 -- Ever dream about building a
working robot or designing a city of the future?   Not only have young people
in the Detroit area dreamed about it, they've done it.
    Approximately 30 students from local elementary and middle schools will
show automotive industry executives their most recent engineering projects at
the 12th Annual SAE and ESD Foundations Benefit Banquet.  The event is
scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 12 in the Columbus Ballroom, Marriott
Detroit Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan.
    The projects were funded by the SAE and ESD Foundations, including the A
World in Motion program, a physical science curriculum for grades 4-6 to
promote science and mathematics literacy, and the Future Cities Competition
where students design environments for the next millennium.  Schools
participating include: Tonda Elementary, Canton; Amerman Elementary,
Northville; Derby Middle School, Birmingham; and Henry Street School, Ontario.
Colleges including Lawrence Tech, Youngstown State and Rochester Institute of
Technology will also have displays.
    "Tomorrow's leading engineers and scientists are sitting in today's
classrooms," said Donald W. Ableson of General Motors, past chairman of the
SAE Foundation Board of Trustees and 1999 SAE President.  "We can not afford
to waste their potential.  That's why our educational programs are so
important."
    "One of our goals is to make sure that young people retain an excitement
about math and science," said Craig Muhlhauser, president of Visteon
Automotive Systems, sponsor of the 1999 Benefit.  "The SAE and ESD Foundations
provide curriculum materials that challenge and motivate students not only in
Detroit, but all over the country."
    Following the student showcase, a benefit dinner to support the
educational programs of the SAE and ESD Foundations will take place at
7:30 p.m.  During the dinner, James J. Padilla, Group Vice President of
Manufacturing, Ford Automotive Operations, will accept the 1999 Manufacturing
Leadership Award for his contributions to the automotive industry.  Padilla
most recently served as President of Ford Argentina and Brazil.  Tickets to
the dinner are $250 each or $2,500 per table of 10.
    Event proceeds support education programs of the SAE and ESD Foundations
such as A World in Motion, a hands-on curriculum that stimulates curiosity
about math, science and physics by looking at the principals behind the motion
of cars, trains, trucks and planes.
    Since its inception in 1990, more than one million students have
experienced A World in Motion.  Teachers in public, private and parochial
schools all over the United States and Canada receive A World in Motion kits
free of charge.  Using the curriculum, they work in partnership with
practicing engineer volunteers to provide students with fun and relevant
science and math experiences.
    For reservations to the SAE/ESD Benefit dinner or to find out more about
the educational programs, contact the SAE Foundation at 724-776-4841,
ext. 4017.