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Ford Sponsored Science Teaching Module Being Sent Free

3 March 2000

Ford Sponsored Multi-Media, Interactive Science Teaching Module Being Sent Free to All Secondary Schools

    WASHINGTON, March 3 -- Secondary schools throughout the U.S.
are being sent a new multi-media, interactive teaching module designed to help
teachers assist students meet new state education standards for science, the
Ford Motor Company announced today.
    Produced by the National Foundation for Energy Education (NFEE) and Ford,
"Energy Transformations in an Automobile" is being released nationally.  The
physical science unit includes a 15-minute video with a 20-page teachers'
guide with activities to help students understand the first law of
thermodynamics, the conversion of energy, and the transformation of energy
from one form to another.
    "Mathematics and science skills are the cornerstones for understanding a
wide range of technical issues and essential in developing citizens for the
21st Century," said Bill Powers, vice president, research, Ford Motor Company,
in announcing the program at the National Press Club.
    Thirty-five thousand copies of the module are being mailed to public and
private secondary schools across the United States.  Copies are available by
calling the NFEE (888-860-1222) if science department chairs haven't received
the module by March 15.
    Developed by the NFEE, a non-profit organization designed to help
educators teach students how energy impacts their lives, the module encourages
teachers and students to interact and work together.
    "The transformation of energy forms and the conservation of energy are two
essential concepts found in the science education standards of every state,"
said Jerry Katz, NFEE president and a 26-year veteran of science education.
"This package helps teachers reinforce these concepts while engaging students
with the examination of a car they may be driving in the future."
    The module uses an automobile to demonstrate how chemical energy is
transformed to thermal, electrical and mechanical energy.  It uses Prodigy --
a lightweight, hybrid electric vehicle developed by Ford Motor Company that
achieves more than 70 miles to the gallon fuel economy -- to demonstrate how
engineers are applying their knowledge of energy to design more efficient
vehicles.
    In conjunction with today's announcement, Ford and NFEE are holding a
daylong workshop for approximately 25 science educators in the Metropolitan
Washington Area.  The workshop focuses on physical science education and use
of the module.
    "If there's one thing we know as educators and parents, it's that young
people learn best when they are excited about the subject," said Powers, a
former university professor and consultant to NASA's Space Shuttle project.
"Automobiles are around them all the time, and the issues involved in an
electric vehicle will perk their excitement about chemical, thermal, kinetic,
and other forms of energy," said Powers.
    The Reston (VA) based NFEE aims to bring corporations and other
organizations together with schools to improve educational offerings for
elementary, middle level and high school students.  It focuses on creating
professional development and materials teachers can use in the classroom that
demonstrate the importance of science in the everyday lives of Americans.
    Earlier this year, Ford introduced Prodigy, a hybrid electric family sedan
that achieves more than 70 mpg fuel economy without sacrificing performance or
functionality.  The lightweight, aerodynamic and fuel-efficient Prodigy
demonstrates Ford's progress in developing a hybrid electric family vehicle
with mass appeal.  Ford also announced plans to begin producing and selling
hybrid electric vehicles in North America by 2003.  Prodigy utilizes
technologies that were researched and developed by the Partnership for a New
Generation of Vehicles.