Wayne Allen | Daily Times
A group from Notre Dame Elementary are pictured preparing parts and components of soap box derby cars.
Wayne Allen
PDT Staff Writer
The Kentucky Derby will take place this weekend in Louisville, Ky., but a group of Notre Dame Elementary students has their focus on another type of derby.
The students were busy Thursday afternoon preparing parts and components of three soap box derby cars for a Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) competition in Akron, Ohio later this month.
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.
“This is our first year building this project. We are building two cars stock and a super stock. The stock car is for the smaller grades and super stock is for the older people,” said Emily Jones, a student at Notre Dame Elementary.
She said in order to complete the task, the students created teams. There was a design team (for the car and a team T-shirt) and a media team for taking pictures and putting together a PowerPoint presentation.
“We are building the cars from a kit which includes, a steering wheel, axles, breaks, pulleys, wheels, cables, weights and the frame. We’re making the car as fast as we can by reducing resistance, lag and friction,” Jones said. “It has been fun working together on this project and we’re representing our school. Some of us have raced in the local Soap Box derby before.”
She said throughout the process the students have gotten to know each other better and they are learning along the way.
According to event information, schools from all around the country complete in this annual challenge set for May 18.
Notre Dame is the first school in Scioto County to get involved in this event and will be sending three teams of students to the event to compete.
Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or tallen@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Wayne on Twitter @WayneallenPDT.
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