More Than 1,800 Inner City Students to Participate in STEM Programming

WARRENDALE, Pa., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beginning today and over the next seven weeks, more than 1,800 elementary and middle school students across the country will become immersed in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as they participate in the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) program. SEEK was coordinated through a partnership between SAE International and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and will expose inner city students to hands-on projects and a valuable career path.

"This engaging and educational program has shown a tremendous impact on the communities it reaches," said Matt Miller, director, SAE Foundation and Pre-Professional Programs. "Students will become engineers as they work in teams, think through challenges and create projects. Many of these students are experiencing new opportunities that are helping to shape career paths in STEM fields."

The SEEK program will be led by NSBE engineering students and technical professionals, using the National Science Board Award-winning curriculum, A World in Motion® (AWIM). AWIM was developed by SAE International and allows students to work in teams to solve problems and create products while discovering the underlying math and science principles involved in the process. The program and curriculum are made possible through funds from major sponsors, like Caterpillar.

"College students from across the country will spend time with these students to become mentors for three weeks, but will make an impression on these kids that will last much longer," said Dr. Carl Mack, executive director of NSBE. "These kids are seeing positive African American role models that are building bonds and investing time in each one of them. The mentors are helping to guide the next generation of aspiring engineers."

Each week of the program, students will take on a new STEM project, present their final designs to a panel of local judges and participate in friendly competitions. This free program is offered to students in 3rd – 5th grade as well as 6th – 8th grade. It begins in San Diego on June 18, continuing for three-week-long sessions across six locations. The schedule is as follows:

• San Diego, CA (San Diego State University)
  June 18 – July 6 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
  Sponsors: Accurate Engineering, Caterpillar, Life Technologies, Northrop Grumman, San Diego Gas & Electric, Solar Turbines and US MARINES

• Oakland, CA (Martin Luther King Elementary)
  June 25 – July 13 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. weekdays M-F)
  Sponsors: Caterpillar, Chevron, INTEL, Northrop Grumman and SD Bechtel

• Houston, TX (University of Houston)
  June 25 – July 14 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. weekdays M-F)
  Sponsors: Caterpillar, SHELL and University of Houston

• New Orleans
  July 2—July 20 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. weekdays M-F)
  Sponsors: Caterpillar, Chevron and Re-New Schools

• Washington D.C. (Elementary program: Langley Education Campus; Middle school program: Eliot Hine Middle School)
  July 2 – July 20 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. weekdays M-F)
  Sponsors: Alcoa, Caterpillar, CUMMINS, GE, Northrop Grumman, ONR, US Coast Guard and US Navy

• Detroit, MI (Bates Academy)
  July 16 – August 3 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. weekdays M-F)
  Sponsors: Caterpillar, Delphi Foundation, Detroit Automobile Dealer Association, DOW and Ford Fund

About SAE Foundation

The SAE Foundation is the charitable arm of SAE International that strives to encourage and increase student participation and achievement in science, technology, engineering and math through educational programs, including A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™. SAE International is a global association of more than 133,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standards development.

About AWIM

SAE International's A World In Motion® (AWIM) is a teacher-administered, industry volunteer-assisted program that brings science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to life in the classroom for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Benchmarked to the national standards, AWIM incorporates the laws of physics, motion, flight and electronics into age-appropriate hands on activities that reinforce classroom STEM curriculum.

About NSBE

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), founded in 1975, is the premier organization serving African Americans in engineering and technology. With more than 30,000 members and 300 chapters in the U.S. and abroad, NSBE supports and promotes the aspirations of college and pre-college students and technical professionals. NSBE's mission is "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professional and positively impact the community."

-http://www.saefoundation.org-

Contact: Eric Ash, Mullen, [email protected] or 412-402-0186

SOURCE SAE International