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General Motors Hosts 11th Annual A World In Motion Volunteer Recognition Breakfast


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WARRENDALE, PA--June 12, 2012: Today A World in Motion® (AWIM) teamGM Cares volunteers from General Motors (GM) gathered at the company's Warren Technical Center to celebrate a successful year of providing students with hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

"This recognition breakfast showcases the tremendous amount of support SAE programming receives from GM," said Matt Miller, director of the SAE Foundation and pre-professional programs. "The AWIM teamGM Cares volunteers are excellent resources for teachers as they bring scientific theories and concepts to life in classrooms. We applaud their efforts and thank them for being an essential part of the AWIM program."

The GM Foundation made an investment in STEM education by providing a $5 million grant to the SAE Foundation to help support the development and execution of SAE's AWIM educational programs that reinforce STEM curriculum and help spark the imaginations of young people to pursue careers in engineering, science and other technical fields.

"Education is a critical focus area for the GM Foundation. Our country's development and economic future is tied to children developing an early interest in educational programs like A World in Motion," said Vivian Pickard, president, GM Foundation and GM Director of Corporate Relations. "The Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that engage youth with hands-on activities that allow them to develop an interest in a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics."

During his remarks to the AWIM teamGM Cares volunteers, John Calabrese, GM Vice President of Global Engineering, said, "Installing a passion and curiosity for STEM education in young students is crucial for the success of our industry.  The AWIM teamGM Cares volunteers are paving the path for a very bright future and enriching our communities by supporting the A World in Motion program."

An additional highlight of the volunteer recognition breakfast included Ms. Dana Mayes and four of her 5th grade students (Damario Jackson, Mikayla Green, Angel Rucker-Sosa, Jamin Montgomery) from Gompers Elementary in Detroit providing candid feedback on how the AWIM program has impacted their classroom.  Following the event, the teacher and students were able to tour the wind tunnel facility at the General Motors Technical Center.

Over the last 20 years, AWIM has reached over four million students in all 50 states and Canadian provinces and territories. More than 25,000 engineers, scientists and technology professionals have volunteered in partnership with the AWIM program. GM currently has AWIM's largest company-supported volunteer base of more than 1,600 volunteers.  

About AWIM
SAE International's A World In Motion® (AWIM) is a teacher-administered, industry volunteer-assisted program that brings science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to life in the classroom for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Benchmarked to the national standards, AWIM incorporates the laws of physics, motion, flight and electronics into age-appropriate hands on activities that reinforce classroom STEM curriculum.