SAGINAW, MICHIGAN – June 20, 2023 – Nexteer Automotive and the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance recently hosted more than 30 educators from across the region for an onsite visit to Nexteer’s laboratory and automotive test track. Aimed at connecting real-world applications of STEM to opportunities for engagement in the classroom, educators learned about Nexteer’s products, advanced technologies, career opportunities and some of the anticipated requirements for the workforce of the future.
The hands-on event included participants from more than 30 organizations which emphasized STEM-related technologies that educators can integrate into lesson plans. Topics presented throughout the day included: 3D printing, snap circuits, Scratch programming, Arduino applications, Raspberry Pi applications, data analytics, circuit board development, go kart projects and more.
Participants also got to learn more about Nexteer’s motion control applications, both on and off the road. After several dynamic sessions, educators were able to experience some elements firsthand on the company’s test track.
“Partnership in events like this are the foundation of the Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Pipeline and we are so fortunate to have tremendous corporate partners like Nexteer Automotive who believe in embedding a strong fundamental interest and knowledge in STEM skills at all grade levels,” said Lori Flippin, STEM Director at the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. “Connecting the skills needed in STEM careers to the applications where they can be used in the classroom, as well as informing educators about what careers are available here in the region is one of the best strategies for fueling our talent pipeline.”
The event featured a total of nine segments and technology features, paired with discussion of their uses within industry and the applicable careers for each module. Core STEM concepts were shared via free, or low-cost resources and often delivered in the concept of games, making them fun, engaging and conceptually attainable for youth at all levels.
Former Michigan State Senator Ken Horn, who now serves as the executive vice president of Strategic Development for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance opened the day by sharing how innovation from companies like Nexteer Automotive will fuel the region’s growth.
“Growth in the Great Lakes Bay Region is going to start with innovation, because we need companies at the forefront of technology like Nexteer Automotive to flourish and grow,” said Horn. “Filling the talent pipeline starts here at home in the classroom and with events like Educator Day. Educators are vital partners positioned to share real-world applications of industry-leading technology with students that will ignite their imagination about future potential.”
Paul Seibert, global director of Corporate Labs at Nexteer Automotive, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance board member and STEM committee chair added the importance of organizations engaging with the community to help develop the future workforce.
“Nexteer has been a part of the Great Lakes Bay Region community for more than 100 years, and we have a passion for collaborating within the community to drive lifelong learning and exploration in STEM. We were honored to host this Educators Day with the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, and we hope that the educators who attended left the event with new ideas and practical applications that they can apply in their classrooms to excite students about STEM education. At Nexteer, we are committed to advancing motion control technology that accelerates mobility to be safe, green and exciting – and to do that, we need talented engineers, now and in the future, who are passionate about relentless innovation,” said Seibert.
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About Nexteer Automotive
Nexteer Automotive (HK 1316) is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative product and technology portfolio includes electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems and software solutions. The company solves motion control challenges across all megatrends – including electrification, software/connectivity, ADAS/automated driving and shared mobility – for more than 60 customers around the world including BMW, Ford, GM, RNM, Stellantis, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China including BYD, Chery, Great Wall, Geely, Xpeng and others. nexteer.com
About the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance
The mission of the GLBRA is to champion and support regional collaboration and initiatives that help grow the Great Lakes Bay Region. The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is comprised of more than 40 board members who represent various organizations across Bay, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw Counties.
More information is available at https://www.greatlakesbay.com/
