Daytona Speedway Gets Minds Racing, Too(3)

Daytona Speedway Gets Minds Racing, Too

Workshop facilitator Dot Moss from Clemson University setting up the SAFER® barrier test from the "Off the Wall" module.

Last week, the high-speed thrill of NASCAR racing took STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) professional development to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. 

DuPont’s Driving SCIENCE event brought together 24 educators from six schools around Daytona Beach, Fla.   They engaged in turns, spins and pit stops to improve their knowledge about STEM disciplines and best practices, using the world of auto racing as their classroom. 

The analysis of speed, understanding force, energy and motion, experimenting with “mouse trap” cars and figuring out how safety applies to major super speedways are all a part of the curriculum. 

“This partnership is an important step forward in bringing the exciting world of professional motorsports into the classroom and to a more youthful audience,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood.  “Race teams depend on science and technology to help their drivers gain every bit of speed possible on the race track.  The Driving SCIENCE students will be able to take what they learned in the classroom and see it applied in person on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway.”

Larry Deas, DuPont MotorSports, speaking to the class about DuPont safety and the many products, benefits and applications in the world of motorsports.

Driving SCIENCE is a four-day professional development institute sponsored by Daytona International Speedway, DuPont Motorsports and Hands-On Science Partnership. The curriculum, developed in Clemson University’s College of Engineering and Science with a grant from the DuPont Office of Education, is designed to strengthen content knowledge in STEM disciplines, model best practices for student achievement and promote awareness of motorsports careers. 

“DuPont is a leader in supporting STEM education. We all win when we help develop a work force that has an understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including local communities, businesses like DuPont, the U.S. and the world,” said DuPont Motorsports Manager Larry Deas.  “Linking the Daytona International Speedway with STEM professional development allows teachers and students alike to see the many career opportunities available to them in racing and in business.”

Looking for Jeff Gordon’s weekend race results?  Click here.

SOURCE