Autodesk's Portfolio of Academic Solutions Prepares Next Generation of Design Professionals
Middle-school, high-school and college students learn concepts to prepare for careers in engineering and design
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 1 -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) announced today updates to its portfolio of academic software solutions, which promote project-based learning and provide worldwide access to the same cutting-edge, 3D design tools used by industry leading professionals. The innovative design curriculum included in Autodesk's academic software has been developed for educators by educators, and provides the necessary tools to inspire and support tomorrow's generation of future engineers, architects and designers.
Autodesk's academic suite includes Autodesk Design Institute, Autodesk Design Academy, Autodesk DesignKids and Autodesk Animation Academy. These solutions introduce concepts, theory, and exercises for students to develop the design skills they will need for successful careers in design.
"Autodesk is committed to inspiring design innovation among students and educators," said Paul Mailhot, senior director of worldwide education programs at Autodesk. "Through project-based learning, students receive the exposure and training they need to compete for the engineering, architecture and design jobs of the future -- from the time they are in middle school all the way through college graduation."
Autodesk Design Institute Helps Prepare College Students for Careers in Design
Autodesk Design Institute gives post-secondary educators and students access to a wide range of design tools that allow them to apply 3D modeling and visualization skills to a variety of design disciplines. Students studying architecture, interior design, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, civil engineering, geographic information systems, industrial design, and urban and rural planning, all benefit from exposure to Autodesk's professional tools.
Autodesk Design Institute also provides schools with access to technical support directly from Autodesk and comprises the latest technology, including: AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD Architecture 2008, Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008, Revit Architecture 2008, Revit Structure 2008, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008, AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 and Autodesk VIZ 2008 software products.
The comprehensive curriculum for Revit Architecture, Inventor Professional and Civil 3D included in Autodesk Design Institute allows educators to integrate the newest Autodesk software titles into any existing design curriculum. Educators also have access to e-learning tools and product extensions made available through the Autodesk Design Institute members-only website. Students and educators are also encouraged to participate in Autodesk's online Student Engineering and Design Community to access tutorials, join discussion boards, network with peers and download free* versions of popular 3D software such as Inventor Professional, Revit Architecture, Alias Studio and Civil 3D. The Student Engineering and Design Community is available at students.autodesk.com .
Autodesk Design Academy Inspires High-School Students for Visionary Careers in Design, Engineering and Architecture
The Autodesk Design Academy solution was developed specifically to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and is ideal for secondary schools looking to offer students a relevant and engaging curriculum that maps to national standards.
Through Autodesk Design Academy, students apply STEM principles to real-life engineering and architecture projects, which provide a real-world context allowing students to develop skills that focus on teamwork, presentation and design. Autodesk Design Academy offers project-based approach to design basics, pre-architecture, pre-civil engineering, pre-mechanical engineering, geometry and substantial design courses.
Autodesk Design Academy also includes the "Introduction to Engineering" foundation course developed by Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of pre-engineering instruction for middle and high school students. The addition of this program expands the pre-engineering content already available in Autodesk Design Academy, giving educators access to rigorous and relevant curriculum. By September 2007, PLTW will have been adopted by more than 2,200 schools throughout the United States.
"Students and teachers benefit from rigorous and relevant instruction and experience in their participation in Project Lead the Way. Using the latest software technology in the industry as offered by Autodesk Design Academy, enhances and reinforces their mutual learning," said Niel Tebbano, vice president of PLTW. "Our partnership with Autodesk allows us to deliver project- and problem-based instruction at a high level, and contribute to our goals of increasing the quality, quantity and diversity of America's future technical workforce."
Through Autodesk Design Academy, schools have licenses for the same Autodesk software that professionals use around the world, including AutoCAD 2008, Revit Architecture 2008, AutoCAD Architecture 2008, AutoCAD MEP 2008, Autodesk Inventor Professional 2008, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008 and Autodesk VIZ 2008 software products.
Autodesk Design Kids Inspires Future Engineers at an Early Age
The Autodesk DesignKids software portfolio is a new, fun middle-school technology solution that helps increase student motivation and academic performance by bridging the gap between theory and practice. Through a series of enjoyable and challenging experiential learning activities, students can make the connection between underlying concepts that link science, math and other subjects together in real-world applications while learning Autodesk software. The Autodesk DesignKids curriculum reinforces math, science and art learning objectives while introducing students to engineering and architecture processes. The curriculum also maps to national standards for technology, math, science and language arts, and the project-based approach helps students develop teamwork, critical thinking and presentation skills while building self-esteem and confidence.
Autodesk DesignKids allows students the opportunity to design a paper airplane, skyscraper, house, skate park or jewelry. The DesignKids curriculum requires no prior knowledge of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and is a great way to engage 7th and 8th graders in further STEM-related education and visionary careers. Autodesk DesignKids meets the software needs of a classroom lab and includes: AutoCAD 2008 and Autodesk Inventor 2008 software.
Autodesk Animation Academy Teaches Students STEM Concepts through Visually Compelling Animation
Autodesk Animation Academy combines art and academics in an engaging learning environment that incorporates science, math, language arts and technology.
The innovative, project-based curriculum encourages teamwork, planning and critical thinking as students use visual communication tools and techniques to explore specific topics and present what they learn. Through Autodesk Animation Academy, students create visuals of planetary mechanics, archaeological reconstruction of the Parthenon, the digestive system, weather systems and tornadoes, and forensics and facial reconstruction, in addition to a capstone independent study project.
Autodesk Animation Academy uses a standards-based, cross-disciplined curriculum, developed specifically for secondary institutions by experienced educators and technical experts. Autodesk 3ds Max software, the foundation of the program, has a short learning curve and a vast toolset, allowing any student the chance to quickly discover the basics of 3D visualization and animation.
The Autodesk Animation Academy curriculum incorporates five complete lessons, including a fundamental animation course. The Autodesk Animation Academy also provides an extensive set of educator resources, including syllabi, teaching guides, handouts, evaluation rubrics and online tutorials.
Supporting Education
Since its founding in 1982, Autodesk has supported academic achievement and lifelong learning by helping educators and institutions teach students the skills they need to prepare for careers in design. Autodesk is committed to meeting the changing educational and training needs of instructors, students, and industry and business professionals.
"Today's students are the innovators of tomorrow," said Mailhot. "We know there is a need in the professional design and engineering community for qualified candidates who understand digital prototyping and are familiar with our programs. Students who learn these skills early on have a huge advantage because they already have a fundamental grasp of, and sometimes have even mastered the professional design programs that are used throughout the industry."
Distribution and Availability
Autodesk Design Institute 2008, Autodesk Design Academy 2008 and Autodesk DesignKids 2008 will be available to U.S., Canadian and Latin American customers throughout May and June via Autodesk's network of authorized academic value-added resellers.
Autodesk will demonstrate its complete suite of academic solutions, as well as its popular online Student Engineering and Design Community, at this year's National Educational Computing Conference, at booth 2616 in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
About Autodesk Education
Autodesk supports worldwide academic achievement and lifelong learning by providing 2D and 3D solutions for teaching and learning design in the fields of manufacturing, industrial design, architecture, construction, civil engineering, and media and entertainment. Autodesk is committed to helping the next generation of engineers, architects and designers experience their ideas before they are real by making state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions available inside and outside of the classroom through substantial discounts, subscriptions, grant programs, training, curricula development and community resources. For more information about Autodesk's education programs and solutions, visit www.autodesk.com/education.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies download of the software.
NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Civil 3D, DesignKids, Inventor, Revit and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
Contact: JulieAnna Little, 503-471-6807
Email: julieanna.little@edelman.com
