asbe Foundation

The ASBE Foundation provides focused engagement opportunities that encourage, support and reward student interests in design and engineering careers, through collaboration with educators and industry leaders.

WE SUPPORT DESIGN EXCELLENCE!

About asbe

The asbe Foundation was established in 2003 as a nonprofit foundation “to provide means for any individual to achieve education in all phases of vehicle design; to encourage secondary education students to consider and pursue careers in vehicle design; to keep the vehicle design workforce abreast of the changes in technology; to fund research in areas that are related to vehicle design; and to fund vehicle design related curricula development.” The asbe Foundation has been designated as a 501(c)3 public charity, is registered with the State of Michigan and complies with the rules set by state and federal guidelines. 

The ASBE Foundation was built on the principle of creating a link for industry professionals to build partnerships within the industry and build a lasting partnership with educators that encouraged and supports student interests in a design career.

Core Activities of the asbe Foundation

  • High School Design Challenge

    For almost 70 years, the High School Design Challenge has encouraged students to be creative in solving an automitve-based deisign problem. Students compete in either the design engineering category or the creative design category.

  • Design Challenge Award Banquet

    Winners of the High School Design Challenge, their parents, and teachers are invited to our annual Awards Dinner where creativity is recognized and scholarship are given. Awards are also given to outstanding teachers and individuals from the design industry. A prominent speaker provides an industry insight with a focus on career opportunities.

  • Annual Golf Outing

    In September, the asbe Foundation hosts its annual golf outing fundraiser. Its success is vital to the ongoing asbe activities as it drives the annual operating budget.

Additional Activities

MITES Creativity Award

To encourage creativity, the Foundation recognizes the Most Creative Project submitted at the annual Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society (MITES) Competition.

asbe Foundation Student Awards

Deserving community college and university students nominated by their instructors for their design/engineering ability and demonstrated leadership are recognized and receive asbe student awards.

Autorama

With our college and industry partners, the Foundation provides information about design and engineering careers and their related academic programs to over 3,000 students attending the Autorama custom car show.

Plant Tours

The Foundation arranges industrial and historical tours for high school and college students. Also, special tours are arranged for instructors and educational decision makers. We identify host companies, serve as a tour liaison, and develop tour guides to maximize the educational value of each tour.