Purdue's M-STEM3 program to offer grants for teachers
June 18, 2014
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —Purdue University's M-STEM3 program has launched a website to help elementary and secondary school teachers get grants to purchase curricula that harnesses the excitement of auto racing and advanced manufacturing to teach science, technology, engineering and math.
M-STEM3 is developing class curricula for upper elementary through high school students that focuses on STEM in the areas of motorsports, advanced manufacturing and medical manufacturing. The curricula will be combined with video produced by media company Edge Factor.
"The M-STEM3 program is being developed as a way to educate students using interactive and fun methods," said James Caruthers, Purdue's Reilly Professor of Chemical Engineering.
He leads the M-STEM3 program in partnership with Danny White, manager of motorsports and K-12 partnerships for Purdue's Office of Engagement.
Courses are designed to include project-based learning and multimedia and can be used in place of current curricula.
Two gifts totaling $300,000 will provide seed money to help teachers purchase the M-STEM3 programs.
The Gene Haas Foundation has made a $250,000 matching grant gift. The foundation was formed in 1999 to help fund nonprofit organizations. Among its interests are technical training programs, especially machinist-based certificate and degree programs.
Gene Haas founded what has become the largest machine tool manufacturer in the United States. He also has been involved in auto racing, including as part of Stewart-Haas Racing with Tony Stewart. He has just formed the only American Formula 1 team, which will debut in 2016.
Software developer Mastercam is providing $50,000 for teacher grants. Mastercam and its CNC software offer state-of-the-art tools for CAD/CAM manufacturing markets.
Teachers can apply for the grants at http://mstem3.org.
Content is available through Edge Factor, which uses new media to tell stories of innovative manufacturing teams working together to design and build products that impact lives.
The educational programs can be found at http://www.edufactor.org.
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Sources: Danny White, Purdue motorsports manager, 765-496-7748, white66@purdue.edu
James Caruthers, 765-494-6625, caruther@purdue.edu
