On May 15, fourth- and fifth-graders from Homer Pittard School and Mitchell-Neilson Schools participated in a Jet Toy Challenge at the Campus School for Middle Tennessee State University, thanks to SAE International’s A World in Motion (AWIM) program sponsored by Nissan North America.
Students worked in teams to design a car made from construction paper, balloons, plastic wheels and plastic tubing of different sizes with the objective of making the car go far and straight. They quickly learned that the precision of the chassis made from construction paper and the wheel axle placement were critical to making the car go as straight as possible. After working with and adjusting the designs, students then realized how plastic tubing size affected the ability to blow up the balloon, and ultimately, the functionality of the car.
Finally, the challenge was on, and student teams launched their cars down the hallway tracks. The winning car traveled over 10 meters as onlookers cheered. Winning teams for distance and accuracy were awarded medals.
“The whole purpose of the program is to introduce kids into the world of science and engineering and get them interested and excited about science,” said Julie MacIntyre, program manager for A World in Motion.
The partnership between Nissan and SAE started in 2007 when the corporation donated $1.5 million to develop an educational curriculum for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Upon completion of the literature-based curriculum, SAE International became the first organization to provide in-classroom STEM education for this younger group of students.
Most recently funded by a $125,000 grant from Nissan North America, the AWIM program for elementary-age students is being delivered in six counties and 21 schools across Middle Tennessee, including eight in Rutherford County. The program reached 2,000 students in Middle Tennessee, teaching them the problem solving and analytical skills they will need to be successful throughout their education and beyond.
“We at SAE greatly appreciate Nissan’s support, which has made it possible to impact student learning and increase leadership skills that will provide our communities with future innovators needed to solve the complex problems that plague our communities, country and globe,” said Stacia Wetherington of the SAE Foundation.
“Nissan has been supportive of STEM-related activities, especially within communities where we have operations. For us it’s about building future leaders of our company,” said Justin Saia, Nissan Corporate Communications. “We want to expose young people to skills, problem-solving and critical thinking that can be applied someday, we hope, to careers in our plants and in our U.S. operations.”
