PS 57 R Soap Box STEM Program
World Maker Faire 2016
GROUP
PS 57R STEM Soap Box Derby Team
PS 57 STEM Soap Box Team Champions utilized specialized curriculum http://westernreservepublicmedia.org/gravity/tools.htm, built soap box cars and raced locally nationally and internationally at Derby Downs Akron Ohio. We even won!
Students in grades 3-5 researched and built toy, home made and official All American Soap Box Derby cars. They also built a dual seater car for children with disabilities along with our local Vietnam Vets. They even won races in Akron Ohio!
What inspired you to make this project?:
While learning about simple machines in science class, students discussed building an old fashioned bike with the huge wheel in front. That idea was not feasible so we focused on go-carts and soap box cars. We researched the All American soap box derby online and found out they hold a schools STEM Gravity Challenge race. The science teacher vowed to raise the funds for the competition the following year. Needless to say we integrated the curriculum into science lessons, built the car, raced the car and even won nationally. We then made a documentary and continued to race and win. We saw a super-kids race and decided to build a dual seater car for children with disabilities with local Vietnam Vets. Then we raised more funds and started the 1st NYC race in Central Park for schools, non profits and parks centers around the city! Now we are working on engineering plans to build a real track!
