Learning Resources

Caterpillar Showcases Driverless Trucks in Interactive STEM Videos

• By Sri Ravipati
• 09/19/16

Caterpillar, a global manufacturer of heavy duty equipment, is investing in its future workforce by bringing STEM-related, interactive videos to students and teachers everywhere.

The company teamed up with Spark 101 to create a challenge called “Navigating the Future of Autonomous Vehicles,” which asks students to choose the appropriate sensing systems for a mining haul truck to safely navigate harsh sites. Caterpillar employs thousands of engineers and technologists, so the company cites the importance of supporting national and international STEM initiatives as a main factor for developing the challenge.

“This way, we address the future needs of our organization while also helping learners — in our communities and beyond — launch their identities as STEM professionals,” said Michelle Unser, lead of engineering STEM outreach at Caterpillar, in a prepared statement.

Spark 101 offers more than 50 other free STEM skills videos and other curriculum-aligned teaching materials. The 10-minute videos – created in collaboration with educators, employers and Spark 101 design experts – aim to inspire and engage students in authentic problem solving from real-world examples.

“I love watching my students work through the challenges, using their knowledge in ways that prepare them for real life,” said Susan Patterson, a high school math teacher in Texas and Spark 101 Teaching Fellow, in a prepared statement. “Spark 101 gives me the resources to bring deeper learning into my classroom — helping me keep my students motivated to master essential math skills like linear equations.”

Further information about Caterpillar’s challenge and other free materials is available on the Spark 101 site.