The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) provides students with hands-on engineering experience through teams that design, test and build single occupancy vehicles then take them to international competitions. But ASU chapter president, Wade Gyllenhaal, hopes to extend that by connecting the organization with the business school to incorporate dedicated marketing, management and finance teams that work with the design teams in the club.
“Even if you are not interested in cars, this is a design challenge to build a dynamic system,” says Gyllenhaal.
He would also like to create an R&D division, engaging students in senior design projects, FURI or graduate research. Participants would be able to supplement funding for auto or transportation related projects and see their work implemented in a vehicle.
“We are trying to create a structure such that students can get involved and will have funding, support and tools to follow a project through to completion,” he says.
SAE members participate in outreach programs, taking hands-on experiences to younger students. Through A World in Motion, SAE members team with industry professionals to bring creative problem-solving projects to elementary and middle school students.
Gyllenhaal says that student organizations fill an important role in education, by providing early hands-on experience and producing more well-rounded graduates.
Members have the opportunity to take plant tours and hear speakers from leading industry organizations.
The Tempe campus club is one of the largest student organizations among the 400+ chapters throughout the world. ASU is unique in that there is also a club on the Polytechnic campus.
Steven Trimble, professor of practice in the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, is the organization’s faculty advisor. More information on SAE@ASU can be found at: http://sae.club.asu.edu/index.html.
