LTU, PNC Foundation develop new STEM Motorsport and Mobility Center

SOUTHFIELD-Lawrence Technological University was recently awarded a $225,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to develop a new STEM Motorsport and Mobility Center.

The new center will collaborate with Blue Devil Motorsports, the Marburger STEM Center and industry partners from the automotive and mobility sectors. The program will use LTU's core applied science and engineering curriculum, project-based learning, active collaboration and course-based research experiences. The curriculum will be delivered over 12 months from May 2024 through May 2025.

"We are grateful to PNC for expanding its relationship with LTU and supporting advancing collaborative pathways, innovative hands-on learning and technology integration offered to middle and high school students through the Marburger STEM Center," said Theresa Lindsey, LTU's executive director of K-12 partnerships and outreach.

The program encourages middle and high school students from Detroit Public Schools Community District and surrounding communities to consider a career in engineering by exposing them to motorsports and mobility, increases awareness of the opportunities available in motorsports and mobility for students pursuing science and engineering careers, and assists in academically preparing students for post-secondary STEM education.

"The LTU STEM Motorsport and Mobility Center will inspire Detroit Public Schools Community District students to consider engineering and motorsports careers that may have previously seemed out of reach," said Michael Bickers, PNC regional president for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. "This outstanding program will open doors to real-life opportunities while teaching students that any dream is achievable."

LTU will receive $50,000 from PNC in year one, $75,000 during year two, and $100,000 in year three. The funds will also support the development of a motorsports (Formula 1) simulation lab, drone and robotics workstations, and additional experiential learning.

"This three-year grant from the PNC Foundation increases LTU's capacity to consistently engage and prepare more Detroit-area middle and high school students in STEM, Mobility and Motorsports (STEMM) career pathways," said LTU President Tarek Sobh. "As you can imagine, this STEM focus resonates with the region's most innovative industry segments, as well as school systems in preparing students for an exciting future."

The program will be established through four phases. Phase one consists of determining the specific needs, academic skill levels, and proficiencies of the students in each subject area. Phase two consists of administering post-assessments at the end of each course to determine levels of mastery and instructional comprehension, as well as assessing program implementation and impact to determine changes and adjustments. Phase three consists of administering a final evaluation questionnaire to student participants, determining the impact of the program on student performance, and administering a final attitudinal survey. Lastly, phase four consists of compiling a final report and distributing the findings to key stakeholders, instructors and partners.

About the PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group ( www.pnc.com ), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit the PNC Foundation .

Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU as part of its growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation's top 11% of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation's top 10%. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best Midwest colleges. LTU is also listed in the Princeton Review's "America's Best 390 Colleges 2025," which includes the nation's top 15% of colleges and universities. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, "theory and practice" education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech's 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.