MENTORING FOR A WORLD IN MOTION; TRY IT; YOU'LL LOVE IT!

Contributed by Betty Kendall; Chair K-12 AWIM Committee

WHAT IS "A WORLD IN MOTION"? "A World in Motion", or AWIM, as it is called, is a curriculum which has been developed and is sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers. It is a response to general concerns about the declining interest in science and math, especially among youngsters in the early grades and high schools. More specifically, fewer young people are choosing careers in engineering. Currently, materials are designed to correlate with fourth through eighth grade textbooks and expand on existing curricula by integrating reading, writing, math, communications, and technology skills. A ninth grade curriculum is in the planning stages.

Ultimately, the program will provide engineering enrichment curricula for young people from grades K-12. The initial materials are free, thanks to substantial funding from various corporations and the National Science Foundation.

A teacher wishing to obtain the SAE materials must agree to partner with a scientist or engineer mentor, and the teacher, mentor, and school principal then sign a contract agreeing to the partnership. When the signed contract is mailed to SAE headquarters, the school receives the curriculum and supplies. These include videos, posters, lesson plans, and support materials for progressive hands-on team experiments to be performed by the students in the classroom. Experiments are designed to stimulate students' natural curiosity and help them overcome math or science anxieties. The experience offers a chance to work with volunteer professionals from the world of science and engineering, cooperative learning through teamwork, and opportunities for individual follow-up that go beyond the classroom.

WHAT DOES THE MENTOR DO? The engineer volunteer usually visits the classroom to help introduce A World in Motion and launch the design team concept. The on-going time commitment is an individual matter, arranged between the mentor (or mentors) and the teacher. Many employers are willing and happy to give release time to their employees, for this purpose. Even mentors who are an infrequent presence in the classroom serve in other ways as an extraordinarily important resource to the teacher. In any case, the engineer remains available to the teacher as a role model for the students, as well as to lend moral support, organize material resources, and exemplify the relevance of science and math to every day life.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED? To volunteer as a mentor, or if you have further questions or suggestions, or if you want more specific details about what is needed, contact the current Vice Chair of AWIM and K-12 Education.