Ford has long been a leader in technology. Typically, the technology that the company is associated with is in the automotive industry. As an automaker, this makes sense. However, Ford has branched out, and now pursues other technologies. Not only is it an automaker, it is also a mobility developer.
The company can see that advanced technology, and its increasing and rapid advancement, are the future of industry and production. Due to this, Ford is continually investing into communities, so that they can pursue these technologies. One of these investments is the $50,000 that Ford awarded as prizes for their nationwide high school STEAM challenge.
The student teams were tasked with developing proposals that would aide their community. These proposals needed to be realistic solutions to problems within their area. Ford awarded grants to the schools that developed the top solutions so that the could pursue the project. The first place grant was $20,000, the second place was $10,000, and four third place grants were awarded for $5,000.
The school that placed first was the Spruce Creek High School, which is in Port Orange, Florida. Their STEAM team developed a very impactful product. With the grant, the team will design and produce a smartphone app that allows people to communicate with rescuers, friends, and family while in a natural disaster. The project is titled The Text of Least Resistance.
Ford works hard to develop its own technology, but the company also does its part to help the generations of the future do so as well.