Honors CAD students visit NAIAS

Students from Notre Dame’s Honors CAD (computer-aided-design) class got a chance to see how their school work can become reality Wednesday as the class made its annual trek downtown to visit the North American International Auto Show as part of NAIAS’s 2018 Education Day.

Now in its fourteenth year, 2018 NAIAS Education Day (NED) welcomes students from pre-K to college level into the world of vehicle technology, engineering and design at its Education Day (Jan. 24) and today’s Preschool Education Day (Jan. 25). More than 4,000 area students typically attend the Education Days.

Education Days give students an in-depth look at the industry through tours hosted by experts in their fields, hands-on activities at exhibits and a wide range of career-based presentations.

This year, elementary, high school and college students were treated to a presentation by Doug Busch, who is a senior design release engineer for General Motors seating.

Notre Dame computer science teacher Katrina Palushaj coordinated the school’s contingent at NAIAS. She said that like last year, technology was the star of the show.

“Virtual Reality was again big this year,” she said. “All in all, it was another successful trip downtown for our kids."

Ryan LaFontaine, 2018 NAIAS chairman, said that NAIAS Education Days give students a behind-the-scenes look at the auto industry with the hope that it will inspire a whole new generation of automotive thought leaders. 

"We'd like to think that students walk away with a better understanding of and appreciation for the rapidly changing pace of the world of mobility," LaFontaine said.

In addition to exploring the latest products and technologies on display, NAIAS Education Day participants have the chance to engage with the show long before and after their visit. Pre- and post-lesson plans are posted on the NAIAS Education Day website (naias.com/ned.htm) and the lesson plans also include a test component specifically designed for students in automotive tech curriculums. 

“Students really enjoyed the show,” Palushaj added. “Some have never experienced the ‘wow’ of so many cars in one place before.”

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Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.

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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.