Lawrence Technological University in Southfield recently was awarded a $225,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to develop a new STEM Motorsport and Mobility Center.
The center will collaborate with Blue Devil Motorsports, the Marburger STEM Center, and industry partners from the automotive and mobility sectors. The program will use LTU’s core applied science and engineering curriculum, project-based learning, active collaboration, and course-based research experiences.
The curriculum will be delivered over 12 months from May 2024 through May 2025.
“We are grateful to PNC for expanding its relationship with LTU and supporting advancing collaborative pathways, innovative hands-on learning, and technology integration offered to middle and high school students through the Marburger STEM Center,” says Theresa Lindsey, executive director of K-12 partnerships and outreach at LTU.
The program encourages middle and high school students from the Detroit Public Schools Community District and surrounding communities to consider a career in engineering by exposing them to motorsports and mobility, boost awareness of the opportunities available in motorsports and mobility for students pursuing science and engineering careers, and assist in academically preparing students for post-secondary STEM education.
“The LTU STEM Motorsport and Mobility Center will inspire Detroit Public Schools Community District students to consider engineering and motorsports careers that may have previously seemed out of reach,” says Michael Bickers, regional president for Detroit and Southeast Michigan at PNC. “This … program will open doors to real-life opportunities while teaching students that any dream is achievable.”
LTU will receive $50,000 from PNC in year one, $75,000 during year two, and $100,000 in year three. The funds also will support the development of a motorsports (Formula 1) simulation lab, drone and robotics workstations, and additional experiential learning.
“This three-year grant from the PNC Foundation increases LTU’s capacity to consistently engage and prepare more Detroit-area middle and high school students in STEM, Mobility and Motorsports (STEMM) career pathways,” says Tarek Sobh, president of LTU. “As you can imagine, this STEM focus resonates with the region’s most innovative industry segments, as well as school systems in preparing students for an exciting future.”
The program will be established through four phases. Phase one consists of determining the specific needs, academic skill levels, and proficiencies of the students in each subject area.
Phase two covers administering post-assessments at the end of each course to determine levels of mastery and instructional comprehension, as well as assessing program implementation and impact to determine changes and adjustments.
Phase three will administer a final evaluation questionnaire to student participants, determining the impact of the program on student performance, and administering a final attitudinal survey.
Phase four consists of compiling a final report and distributing the findings to key stakeholders, instructors, and partners.
Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.
For more information, visit https://www.ltu.edu/.
