Toyota Communities

Toyota Motor North America has been one of the strongest corporate supporters of the SAE Foundation and A World In Motion® STEM educational programming since it began in 1990. Their continued support makes it possible to truly inspire the next generation of innovators. Recently, Toyota Motor North America pledged a $1 million gift to inspire K-8 and university students with SAE International's AWIM and Learn Twice Initiatives.

Objective

In the spirit of SAE International's continued partnership with Toyota, the SAE Foundation supports AWIM in Toyota communities, bringing together teachers, students and STEM professionals through hands-on, project-based learning. With students in design teams, they employ the Engineering Design Experience, acting as scientists and engineers while exploring a "design challenge." Toyota volunteers have been a critical piece to AWIM delivery in many school districts across the United States, and this gift will ensure that this continues for the next three years. By allowing their employees to contribute both time and talent to support AWIM programs in Toyota communities, Toyota ensures a STEM industry professional in every AWIM classroom at a 24:1 ratio, which is critical to a positive student experience.

Toyota has now expanded upon their AWIM and CDS (Collegiate Design Series) support to include the Learn Twice Initiative. This will provide a memorable learning experience for K-8 and university students alike, as those participating in the SAE Colligate Design Series will be given the opportunity assist in AWIM classrooms throughout the United States. By asking university students to teach and mentor younger learners on STEM concepts, they are able to gain a better understanding of how these concepts are integrated and applied to their own studies. Additionally, this opportunity allows university students to give back to their local community and meet their community service hours that an increasing number of universities are requiring for graduation.

Toyota Motor North America's generous funding allows SAE to provide the necessary training, curriculum, and materials to K-8 teachers/students and reimbursement of participating CDS teams' registration fees. This will help to further build upon a tremendous outreach model through one of the largest and most successful STEM outreach efforts in North America. By working with K-8 and university teachers and students, Toyota's commitment to STEM education and the SAE Foundation continues to have a significant impact on the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math.

Goals/ Expectations

• To increase overall number of students reached through a quality AWIM experience
• Create a pathway for university students to participate in AWIM classrooms through the Learn Twice Initiative
• Expand the number of trained industry volunteers in AWIM classrooms
• Maintain a 24:1 student to STEM volunteer ratio (at least one volunteer per AWIM classroom)
• Continue to provide the majority of AWIM kits to classrooms free of charge and utilize the current distribution policy to keep kit costs low and competitively priced