(From left to right, SAE International’s Amy Smith, pre-college program manager; New Mountain Hill Elementary School teacher, Ginger Pate; Principal Mark Gilreath; Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia’s Ted Arnold and Harris County Schools Superintendent Dr. James Martin.)

When it comes to engineering education, New Mountain Hill Elementary School’s Ginger Pate is at the top of the list. Her students at the Harris county school learned through the AWIM (A World In Motion) curriculum initiated by the SAE International. Students learn concepts of movement like gravity, kinetic energy and the power of wind to test their fabricated cars, paper airplanes and helicopters. “Engineering inspired by Nature” is their theme.

This work allowed Pate and the school to receive the SAE Lloyd Reuss Award for teaching excellence, a national recognition that gave Pate $2,000 and the school $2000 along with some serious bragging rights. “She was nominated as one of many, many teachers,” said Amy Smith, pre-college program manager for SAE International, “so we’re not just talking Georgia, we’re not just talking Southern, we’re talking all around the United States.” Ted Arnold, Head of Department for Quality Assurance at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia has been a supporter of the AWIM for several years. “The AWIM program provides positive effects on student achievements in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. These students represent the future in technology development” said Arnold.

For teachers like Pate, it’s recognition for the great work they’re already doing. “I love what I do” she said during the award ceremony. “With this award, I can’t wait to come up with more things to do”

- Ted Arnold