Partners in Education

Autodesk collaborates with a variety of education-focused partners to promote learning in the key areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and prepares students for academic and career success.

American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

The American Society for Engineering Education is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. ASEE’s 12,000+ members include deans, department heads, faculty members, students, and government and industry representatives from all disciplines of engineering and engineering technology. Autodesk is a 2008 ASEE Premier Corporate Partner, and we collaborate with ASEE on a variety of programs, events, committees, and initiatives worldwide.

Architectural Foundation of San Francisco (AFSF)

The Architectural Foundation of San Francisco is a nonprofit educational organization that involves San Francisco elementary and secondary school students in a mentored appreciation of architecture, engineering, construction, and the design process. AFSF has created Build San Francisco, an award-winning opportunity for high school students to participate in an experiential learning program in architecture and urban design. The foundation’s project-based programs incorporate and promote Autodesk technology as an integral part of the curriculum. In 2007, Autodesk became the Premier Sponsor of the AFSF, contributing current versions of Autodesk software, providing training and resource materials, sponsoring events, and partnering with the foundation as a site for professional development opportunities for both secondary and postsecondary educators.

F1 in Schools

F1 in Schools, Inc. is a not-for-profit company that works with students, ages 11 to 18, to inspire them to learn about design, science, technology, engineering, and leadership and teamwork, and then apply what they learn in imaginative, competitive, and exciting ways. Students participating in F1 in Schools research, design, build, and ultimately race their own scale-model F1 cars. Autodesk partners with F1 in Schools as the organization’s exclusive Technology Partner for CAD, 3D solid modeling, and animation software for the F1 in Schools Engineering Challenge. Through this partnership, Autodesk contributes software and curriculum to program participants.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

FIRST is a not-for-profit organization founded by inventor and innovator Dean Kamen to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting, mentor-based programs. 2008 is Autodesk’s 17th year as a partner to the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), and this year that program will reach more than 37,000 high school students on more than 1,500 teams in 41 regional events, primarily in North America. This is Autodesk’s second year sponsoring another FIRST Program, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), a midlevel robotics competition that reaches about 8,000 high school students on more than 800 teams worldwide. The Autodesk FIRST partnership includes donation of Autodesk software to student competitors. The FIRSTbase website, a dedicated collaborative workspace for FIRST teams, contains training and support materials; event sponsorship information; the Autodesk Kit of Parts (virtual parts modeled in Autodesk® Inventor® to be used as teams design and build their robots); details on the Autodesk Design Competition (a popular student design competition incorporating Autodesk software); and a list of Autodesk employee volunteers.

Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)

The Formula SAE (FSAE) competition is for SAE student members to conceive, design, fabricate, and compete with small formula-style racing cars. The restrictions on the car frame and engine are limited so that the knowledge, creativity, and imagination of the students participating in the competition are challenged. The cars are built with a team effort over a period of about one year and are taken to the annual competition for judging and comparison with about 120 other vehicles fielded by colleges and universities from around the world. In 2008, Autodesk will continue its partnership with FSAE, bringing software and training and resource materials to the program as well as competition support.

Formula Student

Formula Student is a student competition open to university teams from around the world and managed in the U.K. by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and its partners and sponsors. The program’s goal is to build the future generation of engineering talent and to promote careers and excellence in engineering by challenging students to design, build, develop, market, and compete in teams with small, single-seat racing cars. The program is designed to be a progressive learning experience throughout a three- to four-year academic course with real-world application and practical skills development. The annual challenge has students assume they are engaged to design and produce a prototype car for evaluation and competition. In 2008, Autodesk will partner with Formula Student to provide software and training and resource materials to competing teams and to support the event.

Innovation First, Inc. (IFI)

In 2007, Autodesk launched a partnership with Innovation First, Inc. (IFI) by exclusively co-sponsoring with them the comprehensive online resource RobotEvents.com, a website offering the latest news, blogs, event lists, and information for teaching and learning, and competing with robotics. IFI is a company with an award-winning history in industrial, competitive, educational, and hobby robotics system design. The company brings a combined 129 years of experience in supporting and running educational and competitive robotics programs. Autodesk is partnering with IFI to bring an accessible and exciting robotics design kit combining Autodesk software and exclusively co-developed curriculum to classrooms in both secondary and postsecondary education. Autodesk is also the presenting sponsor of the 2008 Vex Robotics World Championship.

Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE)

Through the PACE program, Autodesk works with General Motors and other companies as partners, sponsors, and contributors to support selected academic institutions worldwide to develop the automotive lifecycle management team of the future. PACE partners contribute technology, training, automotive parts, and industry perspective and projects to postsecondary education institutions around the world.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

Project Lead the Way forms partnerships among public schools, higher education institutions, and business and industry to prepare an increasing and more diverse group of students to be successful in engineering and engineering technology learning and careers. As a PLTW partner, Autodesk brings the power of Autodesk software integrated with relevant curriculum in the context of project-based teaching and learning to students in both middle and high schools. In 2007, there were about 1,700 PLTW schools in 46 states and the District of Columbia, with nearly 200,000 students in PLTW classes using Autodesk software to complete their coursework in the 2007-2008 school year. Research shows that PLTW students are more likely than others to choose to study engineering and related disciplines in college, and they have a higher retention rate in college engineering, science, and related programs than other students in those areas. PLTW’s comprehensive teacher training program incorporating Autodesk technology and curriculum is delivered through an affiliate network of more than 30 leading engineering colleges and universities around the U.S.

WorldSkills International (WSI)

WorldSkills International is a worldwide not-for-profit membership association that promotes vocational and technical education and training, and challenges students and their teachers, trainers, and employers to achieve world-class competencies and standards. Autodesk became a Global Partner to WorldSkills International in 2007 and contributed significantly to the overwhelming success of the 2007 WSI global skills competition in Japan, which included more than 800 student competitors from 47 countries competing in 47 specific skills areas. As part of its partnership commitment, Autodesk was the official software supplier in more than 23 skills competition categories at the championship, and the company donated not only software but also technical assistance prior to and during the four-day event. Autodesk will continue its partnership with WSI, looking ahead to the 2009 WorldSkills global championship to be held in Calgary, Canada.