Wayne Allen | Daily Times

Some of the Notre Dame Elementary students that participated in the recent soap box derby competition in Akron, Ohio.

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Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

Earlier this month students from Notre Dame Elementary competed in a Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) soap box derby competition in Akron, Ohio, where the students finished fourth overall.

According to released information, the All American Soap Box Derby did a gravity racing challenge, with the purpose of the activity fitting a Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) format. This is a way for students to get experience in Science, Engineering, Technology and Math.

Among the Notre Dame Elementary students participating in the competition were William Burke a third grader, Ethan Kammer a fourth grader and Simon Harting a sixth grader.

“It was a really fun experience,” Burke said, talking about his time at the race.

Competitors race down a hill and the fastest car at the end of the race wins. Burke describes the hill as very high, 979 feet. Burke represented the school in driving one of the stock cars.

Kammer drove the super stock car representing the school.

“It was a lot of fun because of how big it (the competition) is. It’s a big thrill racing other people,” he said.

Harting described the experience as being a lot of fun.

“I feel like I had to work harder than some of the other people. I could not get down in the car (due to his height),” he said.

Todd Book, group advisor said, “Aerodynamics is really important in soap box derby. He had to get real low in the car and Simon is a little taller than most so, it was a little harder.”

Simon finished fourth in his division out of 78 cars competing.

Book said at the competition were schools from six states In winning fourth place, the students were able to bring back a four-foot trophy that is currently on display in the school.

In preparing for the competition, the students spent time constructing three cars that would be used. Two super stock cars and a stock car.

The local soap box derby sponsored by the Civic Forum will be held in Portsmouth on June 15.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or tallen@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Wayne on Twitter @WayneallenPDT.