Education Program Overview

The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE Education Program, funded by a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, will engage students and the public in learning about advanced vehicle technologies, energy efficiency, climate change, alternative fuels, and the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) behind efficient vehicle development.

A key goal of this national program is to inspire youth to learn more about and pursue careers in advanced vehicle development, and to generate excitement about the energy-efficient vehicle options of the near-future. The Education Program will educate the public and create a multi-tiered approach to engage students and showcase the 21st century skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to succeed in work and life, including creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration.

Three elements of the education program include:

An online, Interactive Knowledge Center created in partnership with Discovery Education. This Web site, www.FuelOurFutureNow.com, features activities for K-12 students, as well as high-quality videos, stimulating virtual labs and additional interactive resources intended for use from the classroom to the living room. Additionally, once the competition begins, viewers will be able follow the competition, monitor specific vehicles, and observe how vehicle technologies and driving styles affect various important current and cumulative figures-of-merit such as fuel-economy, environmental impact, vehicle status and more.

A National Student Contest called DASH+, challenging high school teams to design the dashboard of the future that incorporates feedback mechanisms to help drivers maximize fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Each design will be accompanied by a written technical plan and a design video pitch to convince both auto manufacturers and the general public to adopt and embrace their new concepts. Drive change today at www.FuelOurFutureNow.com/Contest
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Educational Outreach Events throughout the competition, to engage K-12 students and their grownups in a series of fun, hands-on, minds-on, interactive, learning activities. The events welcome participation from area schools, out-of-school time organizations, colleges and universities, as well as the science/citizen-scientist community.