GM Drives Science Education
FOR RELEASE: September 16, 2002GM Drives Science Education
Program For Grades 5-8 Focuses On Energy, The Environment And Fuel Cell Technology
Detroit - General Motors has joined Weekly Reader, the nation's leading classroom periodical, to launch "Fuel Cells: Driving the Future," a free educational program distributed to schools nationwide that teaches fifth through eighth grade students about how hydrogen fuel cells are being developed to meet future energy needs.
"GM is committed to educating the public regarding environmental conservation," said Elizabeth A. Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. "We are targeting this important educational program at the leaders of tomorrow, so they understand the possibilities offered by fuel cell technology."
Weekly Reader developed the program to meet the national science education standards for grades 5-8. The curriculum focuses on energy, technology and the environment. Specifically, it explores the transfer of energy, a physical science requirement; and it touches on the personal and social perspectives of populations, resources, environments and the impact of science and technology on society.
Students use the history of the automobile to learn important energy vocabulary words, observe hydrogen fuel cell technology through a water electrolysis experiment that breaks water down into the separate elements of hydrogen and oxygen, and gain an understanding of energy consumption and the benefits of fuel cells by comparing the technology to the fossil fuels used in today's internal combustion engines.
"We hope that educating students about fuel cells and the hydrogen economy offers a new approach to environmental science and conservation," said Peter Esposito, senior vice president and general manager of Weekly Reader. "This approach motivates students and their families to actively contribute to the health and sustainability of their environment."
The program is an easy-to-use, entirely self-contained curriculum package with a teacher's guide, student activities, and posters.
Students first experimented with these concepts this summer when GM's "Tech Tour for Students" traveled to key cities across the United States. GM fuel cell program executive and former NASA shuttle commander, Ken Cameron, taught local middle school students about the principles of fuel cell technology and had them participate in the assembly of a hydrogen fuel cell model car.
"Fuel Cells: Driving the Future" and "Tech Tour for Students" are part of GM's broader K-12 environmental, energy and technology education program, which strives to enlighten and educate children about important issues that could impact their futures. GM's educational initiatives provide timely and interesting information, as well as suggestions for applying these ideas in a science curriculum. To learn more about GM's education initiatives, please visit www.gmability.com.
Weekly Reader Corporation publishes Weekly Reader® periodicals serving over 7 million school children. It also publishes other branded periodicals and instructional materials, including Teen Newsweek Lifetime Learning Systems®, a division of Weekly Reader, is the recognized leader in developing customized educational programs. Lifetime's programs are customized for sponsors, including corporations, nonprofit associations and government agencies that have the need to cost effectively convey important public relations and marketing messages to targeted audiences.
General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 355,000 people around the world. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
###