Caterpillar Showcases Driverless Trucks in Interactive STEM Videos -- THE Journal

STEM and STEAM

Caterpillar Showcases Driverless Trucks in Interactive STEM Videos

By Sri Ravipati
09/19/16

Source: Spark 101.

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.

About the Author

Sri Ravipati is Web producer for THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].

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