Students Earn Valuable Educational Experience Through NAIAS Education Day: A World of Opportunities

January 19, 2016 by NAIAS

January 19, 2016 -

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) welcomes school groups of all ages to attend the most prominent auto show in North America and learn valuable lessons at its annual NAIAS Education Day (NED) on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Now in its twelfth year, NED is in partnership with PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from the PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC). Lesson plans and activities are customized based on the classes and students that are attending.

'Education Day allows students an up-close and personal opportunity to experience exciting vehicles and technologies that will shape the future of our industry, in a manner that is informative and educational,' said Paul Sabatini, 2016 NAIAS Chairman. 'Our goal is to inspire these students to become involved in automotive and help steer this industry into the future.'

NAIAS and PNC announced last year an expansion of the NAIAS Education Day to include a day solely focused on pre-K students' activities in science, technology, reading, engineering arts, and mathematics education (STREAM). PNC expects to host more than 400 Detroit Public School pre-K students in support of Grow Up Great, its $350 million, multi-year bilingual initiative in early childhood education on Jan. 21.

'PNC's ongoing support of NAIAS Education Day reflects our strong corporate commitment to education in Detroit and throughout the PNC footprint,' said PNC Regional President Ric DeVore. 'PNC has brought thousands of DPS preschool students to the show over the past five years. Our goal is to inspire some of these youngsters to work hard in school and eventually pursue careers in the auto industry.'

Participating students will be involved in a number of educational activities throughout the day, starting with a 'Get Buckled! Save Lives!' seat belt safety presentation, followed by individual workshops on the show floor, and will conclude by giving one lucky student who will be randomly chosen, the chance to win a booster seat. All Grow Up Great students will then receive their very own NAIAS stuffed animal along with lesson plans to bring NAIAS STREAM education home.

About the PNC Foundation

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from the PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC), 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 Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a $350 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.