AWIM Special Initiatives

Cleveland Metropolitan School District Initiative Sponsored by the Alcoa Foundation

Project Overview
Today's students are the technology leaders of tomorrow. Alcoa recognized this and began working with local schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in 2006, by making a gift to the SAE Foundation in order to expose students to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) experiences. In 2007, these funds supported a summer camp for students in the Cleveland schools. Realizing the need on a much larger scale, volunteers from Alcoa and neighboring companies have given their time to help facilitate using the A World In Motion (AWIM) program in a district wide initiative throughout the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

For 20 years, the AWIM program has focused on STEM education at the K-12 level. This program continues to expand through a generous gift from the Alcoa Foundation which provides the funding for training teachers and volunteers along with AWIM classroom material kits for the students in Cleveland Metropolitan Schools.

Project Highlights
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District Initiative creates...

• an opportunity for students to participate in hands-on activities that provide a foundation for STEM learning
• a unique experience for industry volunteers to participate in the classroom learning experience acting as content experts and mentors
• a chance for fifth grade teachers in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to expand student exposure to quality STEM curriculum
• an avenue for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to obtain the National Science Board Award Winning AWIM curriculum for classroom use free of charge.

Straw Rockets Challenge

Students explore the early life of Dr. Robert Goddard through the age appropriate biography, The Rocket Age Takes Off. Investigating Goddard's early trials and tribulations to create the first liquid fueled rocket engine, students begin to uncover the work necessary to optimize a design. Students use a design process to build and perform variable testing on straw rockets. Design goals include farthest and highest flight.

Concepts covered in the Straw Rockets Challenge:

• Newton's Law of Motion
• Gravity
• Thrust
• Lift
• Drag

The 2012-2013 program is scheduled to run in classrooms

November 7-20, 2012.

A live mandatory training for teachers and volunteers will be on October 15, 2012.

Barbara Byrd-Bennett

Professional Development Center
11404 Lake Shore Blvd Bratenahl, OH

For more information and for registration contact Matt Brest at Matthew.Brest@alcoa.com