Honeywell and SAE International Expand Vehicle Design Competition to Students Worldwide

WARRENDALE, Pa., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Honeywell and SAE International have expanded their unique Honeywell/SAE Student Automotive Design Challenge (SADC) to include schools from eight countries and more than 400 students. This program, piloted last year, is designed to engage students, ages 11-14, in hands-on math and science training to enable students to actively discover how these subjects relate to their everyday lives, while uncovering potential career opportunities.

The SADC program uses the A World In Motion(R) curriculum, which was developed by the SAE Foundation and won the National Science Foundation's prestigious 2008 Public Service Award. The program integrates science, math, technology, social studies and language arts by assigning students to a mock corporation to research, design, test and build electric gear-driven toy cars. Students work in design teams of four to build a vehicle and write proposals, draw sketches, model designs and develop plans that meet the specific set of design requirements identified in market research. Students share their results with their international peers via an online forum, designed to directly connect students at a global level.

This year, the program will reach more than 400 students in eight countries, including China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Switzerland and the U.S.

The program kicked-off the week of Aug. 31 and ends the week of Nov. 13. The global winner will be announced the week of Dec. 7.

"Honeywell developed the Student Automotive Design Challenge to get students excited about science and math, to encourage them to solve problems, achieve objectives, develop important educational skills, and gain confidence," said Joe Toubes, Vice President, Communications for Honeywell Transportation Systems. "Our hope is that students will develop a life-long interest in engineering. We need talented innovators to find new and better ways to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, not just for our company but for our world."

"We are pleased to again be partnering with Honeywell on the Student Automotive Design Challenge," said Matthew Miller, Director, SAE Foundation and Pre-College Programs. "Issues such as the rising cost of energy and increasing environmental concerns impact the entire world and demand global solutions. By engaging these students, we can help give them the knowledge and tools they need to understand why science and math skills are important and how they can help create positive and lasting change."

About SAE International

SAE International is a global association of more than 121,000 engineers and related technical experts in the automotive, aerospace and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World in Motion(R) and the Collegiate Design Series.

About Honeywell

Honeywell International is a $37 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com.

Based in Torrance, Calif., Honeywell's Transportation Systems business is a worldwide leader in the development of turbocharger technology for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. It also manufactures and markets leading consumer automotive brands including FRAM(R) oil, air, transmission and fuel filters; Prestone(R) antifreeze/coolant and car care products; Autolite(R) spark plugs; Holts(R) car care products and Bendix(R) automotive braking technology.

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  Shawn Andreassi             Annie Brown
  SAE International           Honeywell
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