Donor Spotlight

AVL

As the world’s largest independent company for the development of powertrain systems with internal combustion engines as well as instrumentation and test systems, AVL understands the importance of a strong science, technology, engineering and math education.

By funding the prestigious Gordon Millar Award, AVL helps the SAE Foundation recognize individuals and organizations who best demonstrate continuous philanthropic support of our mission.

From their support to their support of the Gordon Millar Award to their support of A World In Motion ® STEM education program and the SAE Foundation Annual Celebration, AVL is a longtime friend and valued partner.

BorgWarner

Read about SAE Foundation and BorgWarner’s global partnership.

Starting in 1987 to deliver STEM programming and diversify the STEM-talent pipeline, BorgWarner has contributed more than $1 million to the SAE Foundation. BorgWarner supports SAE’s Collegiate Design Series (CDS) and A World In Motion (AWIM) STEM education programs — receiving the Gordon Millar Award in 2019 which recognizes continuous philanthropic support of the SAE Foundation’s mission to encourage and increase diversity and student participation in STEM.

BorgWarner’s partnership is a great example of a mutually beneficial relationship impacting a community full of young learners, providing meaningful volunteer experiences for employees and building goodwill as a corporate citizen. You can find them in AWIM classrooms across the globe: Brazil, Canada, China, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States.

Bosch

Bosch has been an integral part of the growth and successes of the SAE Foundation and its STEM education programs since 1988. Bosch has demonstrated a strong commitment to furthering the cause for the critical need for STEM education with its early support of the development of A World In Motion^®, consistent sponsorship of the SAE Foundation Annual Celebration and continuing funding for AWIM program distribution.

Bosch has supported programming throughout the country, with a focus on the Bosch communities of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Mt. Prospect, Illinois and Charleston/Greenville, South Carolina.

In addition to this critical funding, more than 150 Bosch employees volunteer in AWIM classrooms each year. Bosch support has impacted nearly 34,000 students since 1988.

Bosch is also an active supporter of SAE’s Collegiate Design Series^TM.

Cross Foundation

2024 marks the 12th year of support from the Cross Charitable Foundation to advance STEM education in the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah through the SAE A World In Motion® (AWIM ®) program.  

During the past 12 years, The Cross Foundation has gifted over a quarter of a million dollars to the western states AWIM initiatives.   

Through the generosity and continuous support of the Cross Charitable Foundation and others, over 87,000 PreK-12 students have benefited from the AWIM learning experience.  

This mission aligns with Cross’ primary focus area of providing an education that actively engages minority, rural youth and promotes them to become productive and contributing members of their communities. The western states AWIM initiative increases access to STEM education to include all students—with emphasis on closing opportunity gaps for rural and underrepresented populations. The Cross Foundation looks to highlight these opportunity gaps to inspire all students, particularly Native American students, to be inspired and pursue STEM. 

According to to the U.S. Census Bureau, the current total population of Native Americans in the United States in 2022 is 6.79 million, which is about 2.09% of the entire population. Of the four states the Cross Charitable Foundation works with, Montana ranks the highest at 7.94% with Wyoming at 3.62%, Idaho at 2.22% and Utah at 1.65%. Providing AWIM kits to these students not only boosts their confidence, but gives the students freedom of expression when collaborating and building an idea that is not only tangible, but unique to their culture and identity. 

Despite continued growth of the population in Western states over the past decade, there is still a struggle with a shortage of teachers with strong backgrounds and teaching experience in math and science particularly in rural and remote areas.  Through their support, the Cross Charitable Foundation helps train educators to build confidence and skills facilitating meaningful STEM learning experiences. 

“We very much appreciate the support of the Cross Charitable Foundation for the SAE AWIM program.” – Jackson Hole Classical Academy, Wyoming 

Dana

Since 1904, Dana Holding Corporation has been providing axles, driveshafts and other crucial parts to the mobility industry and they also have a long history of supporting the SAE Foundation.

Dana has supported the SAE Foundation for more than two decades through their consistent participation in the SAE Foundation Annual Celebration and support of the A World In Motion® (AWIM) program.

Based in Maumee, Ohio, Dana’s partnership with the SAE Foundation has directly impacted students in Toledo and Springfield, Ohio school systems. With a strong cadre of volunteers, Dana has certainly taken ownership of their community, ensuring that students in their region have access to the best STEM programming available.

Denso

For more than 20 years, DENSO has been one of our key partners, demonstrating their commitment to STEM education and to our mission to inspire curiosity in STEM. A proud Mentor Sponsor of the SAE Foundation Annual Celebration, DENSO hosts SAE Collegiate Design Series^TM (CDS) students at the event so that they have the chance to network with industry executives.

The company’s support of AWIM helps to provide K-8 students with high-quality STEM education programming, helping to ignite the spark of curiosity in a new generation of scientists and engineers.

Ford Motor Company and The Ford Fund

Ford Motor Company and The Ford Motor Company Fund have supported the SAE Foundation since 1987. A longtime sponsor of the SAE Foundation Annual Celebration, Ford also supports A World In Motion^® (AWIM), the Collegiate Design Series^TM (CDS) and the SAE / Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies Scholarship for Ford Next Generation Learning high school students.

Ford has supported AWIM in Ford Next Generation Learning communities, helping to build a pipeline for middle school students who are on a path to attend a Ford Next Generation Learning high school. Ford also supports AWIM in Detroit Public Schools and has provided funding for AWIM LearnTwice, an initiative that places CDS students as volunteers in AWIM classrooms.

Ford has also supported the creation of Computerized Driver – an AWIM challenge focused on autonomous vehicles.

General Motors

General Motors and SAE International have teamed up to provide K–college students with stimulating, hands-on STEM educational opportunities guided by industry experts. These programs aim to inspire curiosity in STEM education and ultimately transform today’s students into tomorrow’s engineers. By partnering with the SAE Foundation, General Motors aligns its business needs with an organization dedicated to the development of the future workforce.

The development of the AWIM Fuel Cell, Gravity Cruiser, Making Music, Programming Each Other and Cybersecurity: Keeping Our Networks Secure Challenges are the direct result of GM’s support and funding. Equally valuable, GM continues to maintain a strong AWIM volunteer base with over 1,900 GM volunteers volunteering in local schools annually. Distribution and resource development for all AWIM curricula focus on GM communities, especially in southeast Michigan, Phoenix and Austin, and teacher and volunteer training for employees, retirees and teachers has increased in these areas.

In 2017, GM expanded its relationship with SAE to fund a new teacher professional development (PD) model for AWIM. This includes a full Learning Management System (LMS) integration for online/on-demand teacher PD in cybersecurity, project management and engineering design. This platform will be the first of its kind to fully accredit K–8 teachers in these disciplines through a teacher credentialing system.

In addition to early education, GM supports college-level students through the SAE Collegiate Design Series. The AutoDrive Challenge™ is part of SAE’s Collegiate Design Series, a diverse collection of engineering competitions including Aero Design, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, Formula SAE, Formula Electric, Baja SAE and Supermileage. In 2017, GM and SAE launched a three-year autonomous vehicle design competition, with the technical goal of navigating an urban driving course in an automated driving mode (related to the SAE J3016 Level 4 Automated Driving standard). A total of 474 students, from eight North American universities, are participating in the AutoDrive Challenge, and GM has provided each team with a Chevrolet Bolt EV as the vehicle platform.

Learn more about the GM Foundation’s long-standing partnership with the SAE Foundation and their unwavering commitment to STEM education.

Howmet Aerospace Foundation

Howmet’s strong commitment to the Cleveland community and to STEM education is exemplified in their support for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). The Howmet Aerospace Foundation (formerly known as the Arconic and Alcoa Foundations) has supported the A World In Motion^® (AWIM) for CMSD elementary school students since 2007.

The program began as a summer camp but the district quickly saw AWIM’s benefits and wanted to implement AWIM into its science curriculum. With the support of the Howmet Aerospace Foundation, this wish became a reality

In addition to funding, Howmet provides the opportunity for employees to volunteer. These passionate, energetic volunteers make an enormous impact on student learning and they help students develop an interest in STEM subjects and careers. For many CMSD students, their connection with a Howmet volunteer is their first exposure to a STEM industry professional.

Howmet’s support impacts more than 700 students and more than 25 teachers each year and has reached 9,000 students since the program began.

Kia Georgia

Kia Powers STEM through School-based Partnership

The Kia Georgia flipping book showcases the incredible partnership between SAE and Kia Georgia over the last 10 years. Through their commitment to education, Kia has provided vital resources, volunteer support, and funding to thousands of teachers and students in Georgia and Alabama. The flipping book highlights the life-changing impact that Kia’s contributions in the community have made on students, empowering them to learn essential #STEM skills and inspiring the next generation of innovators. Check out the flipping book here!

Kia Georgia has a strong commitment to move the needle forward on STEM education in local communities through the SAE International A World In Motion^® (AWIM) program. Since the start of the partnership in 2012, hundreds of teachers in Georgia and Alabama have received AWIM resources, training and support to deliver engaging, hands-on STEM learning experiences reaching over 95,000 students in more than 60 schools.

This focused support starts with AWIM program distribution and extends to Kia Georgia volunteers working with students and educators to enrich the AWIM learning experience by sharing their personal expertise and serving as positive role models.

In 2013, Kia Georgia began supporting an annual culminating AWIM competition giving students the chance to put their skills to use in a friendly regional competition. Students work in teams to apply concepts they learned in the classroom to design the most efficient and smooth-running balloon-powered vehicle.

Learn more about Kia Georgia’s strategic STEM outreach approach in partnership with the SAE Foundation and discover tips for launching your own STEM initiatives to support your communities.

Contact the SAE Foundation today to explore opportunities that support your community relations strategy and make an impact: foundation@sae.org

Nissan

Read how the Nissan and SAE Foundation partnership is strengthening communities and igniting STEM potential: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/906577005

For more than 20 years, Nissan has worked together with the SAE Foundation℠ to reach the youngest learners and advance equitable STEM education.

Initially launched in five communities where Nissan employees live and work including Arizona, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, Nissan’s long-term global investment of over $2.8 million in SAE International’s award-winning A World In Motion® (AWIM®) STEM education program has reached more than 500,000 students worldwide.

Nissan provided underwriting for the development of four AWIM primary challenges for students in grades K-3. This funding also supported the development of teacher training to support educators in facilitating deep learning experiences for their students.

Nissan sponsorship of the Annual Celebration—the Foundation’s largest source of unrestricted funding, directly benefits teachers and students who otherwise might not have access to high-quality, hands-on STEM programming.

Nissan is committed to advancing social, economic, and environmental sustainability while breaking down accessibility barriers to increase STEM diversity and inclusion. By continuing to deepen the investment in communities through the SAE Foundation, we can create support systems for marginalized populations and educators—building the workforce of tomorrow.

PPG Industries

PPG Industries has partnered with the SAE Foundation to deliver SAE’s A World In Motion program to students throughout PPG communities.

Through our partnership since 2016, PPG has helped reach more than 6,000 students, giving them access to hands-on, classroom-based STEM programming and ignite their interest in STEM. They support the program with both funding and volunteer support.

PPG is the world’s leading paint, coatings and speciality materials company, with global headquarters in Pittsburgh. PPG and the PPG Foundation collaborate with community partners and employees to make their vision of bringing color and brightness to communities around the world a reality.

Qualcomm

During the uncertainties of 2020, Qualcomm saw an opportunity to support students and educators by making a three-year commitment through the SAE Foundation to transform STEM education and strengthen communities. As a leader in mobile and computing platforms for automotive applications, Qualcomm understands that a strong STEM-savvy workforce is essential to accelerate innovation. Over 500 students in Arizona and California benefited from participation in the SAE A World In Motion™ (AWIM™) program during the first 18 months of implementation.  Qualcomm’s investment to provide experiential, project-based STEM learning helped move the needle to increase STEM diversity and equity by reaching under resourced communities with large under represented populations.

Employee volunteers from Qualcomm enrich the learning experience while providing valuable exposure to role models and STEM career paths as they interact with students participating in AWIM challenges through the Electric Vehicle Learning Center (EV-LC) in San Marcos, CA. Qualcomm’s support of SAE International’s LearnTwice™ program provides university students the chance to share knowledge and inspire STEM in future generations. By volunteering through LearnTwice, university teams earn funding to cover SAE competition expenses while giving back to their community.

With  Qualcomm’s support, SAE AWIM launched a pilot for an interactive virtual learning experience, in partnership with Active Learning Labs. The curriculum supports distance and hybrid learning while introducing middle school students to engineering simulations, interactive worksheets, business simulations and design thinking methodology.

Polestar

In 2022, Polestar Automotive North America committed to help the SAE Foundation implement engaging, project-based learning experiences to prepare students with knowledge and skills for the future. As a part of this initiative, Polestar provided funding for the SAE A World In Motion® (AWIM®) Electric Vehicle (EV) after school program for 5th and 6th graders which launched in September 2023 at Oasis- A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, New Jersey. In December, employee volunteers from Polestar assisted the SAE Foundation at the program’s culmination where students raced the EV cars they designed and built in a fun, friendly competition.

“We are happy and honored to be one of the first companies to roll out this AWIM Afterschool EV Challenge with the SAE Foundation. It made more of an impact than we could have imagined, and it aligns so beautifully with our mission of promoting sustainable mobility. Having the opportunity to do this was incredible and we cannot thank SAE enough for their support.”

– Amna Qureshi, Internal Communication at Polestar 

The future holds immense opportunity as Polestar and SAE work together to expand the AWIM program to additional Polestar communities of operations throughout North America. Polestar employees at the Ridgeville, South Carolina site volunteered in a special education class at Summerville High School in Dorchester School District to enrich learning through the AWIM program for more than 30 students.  In Montreal, 75 students at École des Cèdres school in Laval, Quebec worked on the AWIM EV challenge with employee volunteers from Polestar supporting and enriching their learning.

During the second half of 2023, students in California will have access to hands-on STEM learning experiences through AWIM with support from Polestar employees. Polestar is working to bring AWIM learning experiences to Beyond the Bell students and supporting programming at the Electric Vehicle Learning Center in San Marcos, CA for summer camps, afterschool programs, and events.

Episode #169 of SAE’s Tomorrow Today podcast featuring Gregor Hembrough, the head of Polestar North America, is out now! Listen to how Polestar is forming the future of Electric Vehicles here!

Click here to read more about Polestar’s impact

Tesla

Tesla Invests $1.5 million to Support SAE’s A World In Motion in Nevada

The grant is part of Tesla’s $37.5 million investment in Nevada’s K-12 STEM and sustainability education. SAE International and Tesla are working together to impact up to 25,000 kindergarten through eighth grade students in Nevada over the next four years.

This collaboration includes plans to engage Formula SAE Electric students from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno through SAE’s AWIM LearnTwice, a program that places university and high school students in classrooms as volunteers and mentors.

The hands-on and innovative program is providing teachers and students with access to mobility industry professionals and students who are pursuing more advanced studies. The funding supports teacher and volunteer training, program implementation and teacher and volunteer support throughout the grant period.

“Tesla is on the forefront of the mobility industry, advancing innovations and knowledge sharing, so we are honored to partner with Tesla to expand our popular AWIM STEM program in Nevada and inspire students across the state through hands-on learning experiences,” said Lori Gatmaitan, director of the SAE Foundation. “Hands-on STEM education is critical to building the pipeline of future engineers and innovators, and Tesla’s support enables us to impact thousands of young minds to potentially pursue a career in mobility.”

AWIM supports Tesla’s K-12 STEM education pipeline through customizable programming that complements the structured programming of specific school districts to provide in-class, STEM exposure during each phase of education (grades K-3, 4-6 and 6-8). Additionally, where possible, programming will be integrated within districts and schools that feed into high schools that have active robotics teams supported by Tesla.

The goal of the SAE-Tesla partnership is to reach up to 5,000 students in the first year of program implementation, increasing annually to almost 8,000 students per year in year four.