Indy Car Racing and STEM Education

shoaglund's picture
Submitted by on Wed, 08/29/2012 - 12:32pm

Encouraging STEM Education through Race Car Driving

I love finding out about how companies are embracing the importance of Science, Technology, Enginnering and Math education in creative ways to encourage students to pursue these fields of study.  I can not stress enough the important role STEM education plays in preparing our kids for their future in the workforce. 

Eariler this week, Ohio Virtual Academy student and race car driver Zach Veach stopped by for a visit on his way to the Grand Prix of Baltimore which is scheduled for September 1-2.

A day before the big event, more than 150 seventh- and eighth-grade Baltimore-area students will get a behind-the-scenes look at how science, technology, engineering and math principles apply to race car driving.  And an up close look at what they are learning in their classroom and how it applies to real life.

These lucky scholars will be meeting with engineers to learn about how these amazing cars are created.  They will also be learning about the effects of aerodynamics, fuel mileage, tire friction and rolling resistance and other Race Day applications of math and science.

"As a sport deeply rooted in science and engineering, we feel it's important to create opportunities for students to see classroom curriculum applied to real-world situations," said Kasey Coler, vice president of marketing, INDYCAR. "We hope our at-track program illustrates to students how the principles of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math apply to INDYCAR in a unique and interesting way."

The students will also get a chance to meet and talk with Mazda Road to Indy drivers, including Zach Veach, about racing and STEM career opportunities in motorsports.

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