OREANDA-NEWS. November 13, 2012. The General Motors Foundation today unveiled a new float it is sponsoring during America’s Thanksgiving Parade®, An 86 Year Tradition, on Thursday, Nov. 22. With a theme of “Education Fuels Tomorrow’s Innovators,” the float showcases the Foundation’s commitment to investing in America’s youth – the next generation of innovators.

“Our new float is a celebration of the GM Foundation’s many educational partnerships and our commitment to encourage more students to pursue studies of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) - areas critical to the future success of our nation,” said Selim Bingol, GM vice president, Global Communications and Public Policy and the new chairman of the GM Foundation.

The float, designed and built by The Parade Company, is also a celebration of education in Detroit, specifically the United Way “Network of Excellence,” created by the GM Foundation’s USD 27.1 million commitment to seven Detroit-area high schools and administered in conjunction with United Way for Southeastern Michigan. The goal of the effort is to raise graduation rates by 30 percent over five years while supporting the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.

Representatives from the “Network of Excellence” high schools participated in the float unveiling, and members of the East Detroit Marching Band accompanied the float on its maiden journey along Atwater Street.

“This float is GM Foundation demonstrating its commitment to the youth and families of our community,” said Michael J. Brennan, United Way for Southeastern Michigan president and CEO.  “We are delighted by the forward-looking view of the work we are doing now to transform high schools throughout the tri-county region.”

The float offers a futuristic scene with two students leaving high school and embarking on their futures. Arriving at a crossroads, the students find themselves presented with educational roads to take: Science Way, Math Lane, Engineering Road and Technology Drive. Each road provides examples of the opportunities that await them as STEM majors.

The float is 17 feet tall and 60 feet long. An animated robot controls the action on board and features a pneumatically powered head and mouth that move. The float also incorporates hydrogen and electric charging stations.

“We are delighted that the GM Foundation has chosen such an inspiring theme for their new float,” said Tony Michaels, president and CEO, The Parade Company. “We are certain that parade goers will be entertained by both its theme and the intricate design.”