GM Sponsors Department Of Energy National Science Bowl

Golden, Colo. - General Motors experts will advise 16 teams of sixth through eighth-grade science students at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Middle School Science Bowl, June 25-28. The event will be held at the School of Mines' Student Center at the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Students from 14 states will build and race solar-powered model cars and answer questions that will test their knowledge of math and science. GM fuel cell executive and former NASA astronaut Ken Cameron will be a keynote speaker, along with Dr. Kristen Zimmerman, GM manager for the Environment and Energy Strategy Team. Zimmerman, along with other GM representatives will also be an on-site specialist at the solar-powered model car competition. They will help the students prepare their model cars for competition, which will lead up to the final race.

For many years, GM has supported a strong and diverse base of education programs for children in grades kindergarten through 12. These programs include hands-on experiential environmental education activities, mentoring programs by GM engineers and scientists in math and science, technology curriculum dissemination to schools, and a web site created to educate children and their parents about environment, energy, and technology issues.

"At GM, we believe that it is important to encourage students' interest in math and science," said Elizabeth A. Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. "We are committed to offering opportunities that will educate our future engineers and scientists about advanced technology."

The Department of Energy created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage middle school students to excel in math and science and to pursue careers in these fields. More information about this program is available at www.scied.science.doe.gov.