SAE Foundation Annual Report 2012 - 8

Leading by SerVing
Christina del pizzo – Lloyd reuss award for
teaching excellence
“I feel lucky to have discovered the A World in
Motion program this year when I was looking
to supplement my science curriculum with
something that was hands on and team based
that covered engineering concepts. I especially
like that the students work in groups and use the
trial and error method of testing their designs components most other science programs don’t
feature,” said Christina.
In addition, Christina noted that having engineers
in the classroom plays a key role in further
developing elementary students’ understanding
and experience in math and science. She believes
that when the students have a problem with their
design project, and the engineers recognize and
empathize that these are the same problems found
in their own workplaces, it makes the experience
very real for the students.
She also uses the program to attract more of the
moms - who are engineers – to volunteer in her
classroom. According to Christina, “we had
quite a number of females come in, and it’s really

worthwhile to get them into the classroom to show
our girls that they can succeed in engineering roles.
It’s a great way for the parents to get involved. ”
Christina believes the program has benefited her
personally and professionally as well. She finds
it is easy to incorporate into the curriculum as it
includes many of the required core standards. And
“she no longer has to have all the answers” because
AWIM empowers students to find the answers on
their own. She’s also made a lot of connections to
individual volunteers and the corporations who
donate to her classroom and are always willing to
lend a helping hand.
Christina looks forward to continue working
with her fifth grade class on the Fuel Cell in 2013,
both in and out of the classroom, as they prepare
to compete in the SAE International Fuel Cell
Competition in the spring. The SAE Foundation
and AWIM program staff looks forward to
Christina’s continued involvement with the AWIM
program hopefully for many years to come!

SAE Foundation Annual Report 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAE Foundation Annual Report 2012