Autodesk Foundation receives $237,000 grant for project-based learning.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 1995--The Autodesk Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to improve the education system, recently received a $237,000 grant over a three-year period from the Marin Community Foundation.

All of the funds will be used to implement project-based learning programs in public schools in Marin County. Project based learning promotes learning experiences that engage students in complex, real-world projects through which they develop and apply knowledge and skills. This grant lets seven schools from Northern California join an existing network of schools that are currently involved in project based learning programs.

In addition to the financial grant, all participating schools will receive consulting from the Autodesk Foundation to develop project-based learning programs, building strategies for joint student/teacher teams, and utilizing resources available on the Internet.

"This grant will provide more schools the opportunity to increase the breadth of their students' education," said Joe Oakey, President of the Autodesk Foundation. "With more students and teachers involved in project-based learning, we are confident that our school system will better prepare students for the challenges they'll face upon completion of their education."

Through this grant, a minimum of 80 percent of the teachers from each school will learn how to implement a project-based learning program, integrating traditional curriculum, reading, writing and arithmetic, with new skills, such as time management, team work, problem solving, and information evaluation.

"Children truly love working on projects, meeting deadlines, challenging schedules, and growing individually-- that's the real power of the project-based learning program," said Kathleen Bond, Principal at Lu Sutton Elementary School, Novato, California. "Students involved with project-based learning are working on real-world projects. The skills they develop through this program will help them succeed in their life after school."

Because students in this program know they are doing something real and making a difference, they are able to make meaningful connections between what they learn in class and life outside the classroom. Through project-based learning, teachers noted students retained information better and were more able to show their individual and collective strengths.

Teachers involved with project-based learning commented that their students were invigorated, more motivated and self-directed by their work.

Northern California Schools Receiving Funding From the Autodesk Foundation Include: -0-

Cotati/Creekside Middle School, Cotati Manor Elementary School, Fairfax White Hill Middle School, Fairfax Edna Maguire Elementary School, Mill Valley Old Mill Elementary School, Mill Valley Park Elementary School, Mill Valley Tamalpais Valley Elementary School, Mill Valley Lu Sutton Elementary, Novato Marguerite Hahn Elementary School, Rohnert Park Monte Vista Elementary School, Rohnert Park Richard Crane Elementary School, Rohnert Park Brookside Elementary School, San Anselmo Wade Thomas Elementary School, San Anselmo Bayside /MLK Elementary School, Sausalito North Bay (K-8) School, Sausalito -0-

The Autodesk Foundation, incorporated in 1991, is a not- for-profit corporation that partners with public schools, individual educators, private and public corporations, and community organizations to design and develop new models for education. With partial funding from Autodesk, Inc., the Autodesk Foundation strives to improve the American public education system through teaching strategies, school governance policies, and utilizing technology most appropriate to our information age.

For more information on the Autodesk Foundation, call 415/507-5000 or log-in with a World Wide Web browser at http://www.autodesk.com. -0-

Note to Editors: Autodesk is a registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. All other brand names, products names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Autodesk

Jennifer Heller, 415-507-6536

or [e-mail]