Ford donates laptops in support of the Girls in Engineering Academy

Ford is donating more than 40 laptops to the Girls in Engineering Academy, in an effort to support underserved students in the program and boost their education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects.

Developed by The Engineering Society of Detroit, the Girls in Engineering programme aims to prepare and encourage middle school girls, particularly in Metro Detroit, to enter college and study engineering at a level competitive with other students.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Girls in Engineering Academy has moved its students into a virtual setting. Because many students do not have access to a computer at home, the laptop donation from Ford will remove restrictions to remote learning and allow the Academy to more easily support these girls in continuing education.

Every year, the Girls in Engineering Academy recruits approximately 30 girls, with the goal of supporting their education through middle school, high school and until the time they enter the workforce. It offers academic year programmes as well as a four-week summer experience centred on a curriculum that's been designed with input from female engineering faculty, in order to motivate members to explore a career in engineering.

The organisation is also focused on increasing awareness in the community about the opportunities available to girls pursuing an engineering profession and assisting in academically preparing them for high school and higher education.

At the laptop distribution, Ford introduced students to its humanoid robot Digit to inspire them to continue cultivating an interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Ford is exploring multiple ways Digit could be deployed in the future, including in the commercial and autonomous vehicle space.