15th Annual Gravity Racing Challenge STEM Team Competition – Over 60 Teams Currently Registered
STEM Gravity Racing in Akron is underway! And it’s not too late for your school or group to join in the fun!
Across northeast Ohio, schools, after-school programs, and youth organizations are gearing up for the International Soap Box Derby’s Gravity Racing Challenge. After working all school year, the program ends with championship races at Derby Downs in Akron in June. The GRC engages kids, elementary through high-school, in STEM-driven, real-life, skill-building activities that encourage teamwork, leadership, and healthy competition in a fun, impactful way.
So far, more than 60 teams are registered for the 2024-2025 season!
“The impact of the Gravity Racing Challenge in our school goes far beyond the impact of building a car. The ability to work in groups, gain access to tools, and seeing the real-life application and impact of scientific ideals such as gravity, energy, and friction firsthand are just a few of the education resources and experiences our students received. As an educator, my hope is our students carry these tools with them their future endeavors.” — Middle School Educator
The Soap Box Derby invites you to:
- Check-out our website https://www.soapboxderby.org/education/stem-grc-races/
- Contact our staff for more information, inquiries about possible funding and/or program support: Linda Hubbell, Education Director, 330.733.8723 ext 12 linda@soapboxderby.org
- Attend a SBD car workshop (must preregister)—Saturday, April 26, 2025 anytime between 10 am-4 pm
- Organize and register a team(2) of 2-10 youth to compete in any of these GRC Competitions:
- High School Engineering Design and/or Super Stock Car GRC Competitions being held at Derby Downs, Thursday, May 8th, 2025 at 4 pm
- Grades 5-8 Super Stock Car Division GRC Competition being held at Derby Downs, Thursday, May 10th, 2025 at 8:00 am
- Grades 3-5 Stock Car Division GRC Competition being held at Derby Downs, Thursday, May 10th, 2025 at 8 am
GRC Team Registration Link: https://form.jotform.com/72843895559173
- Participate in any of these Optional GRC Competitions
- *Mini Car Competitions (Gr. 3-5; Gr. 6-8; High School)
https://www.soapboxderby.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mini-Car-Competitions-For-GRC-Teams.pdf
https://form.jotform.com/TeamDerby/2025-mini-car-comp-reg
- *Mini Car Shell Design Competitions (Gr. 3-5; Gr. 6-8; High School) https://form.jotform.com/TeamDerby/2025-grc-team-design-competitio
- *Team Press Release Competitions (Gr. 3-5; Gr. 6-8; High School) https://form.jotform.com/TeamDerby/2025-grc-news-release
- *Photography Competitions (Gr. 3-5; Gr. 6-8; High School) https://form.jotform.com/TeamDerby/2025-grc-news-release
*Only registered teams for the Gravity Racing Challenge High School Engineering Design, Super Stock and Stock Racing Divisions are eligible to compete in these optional STEM competitions.
Interested in Volunteering? Visit: https://www.soapboxderby.org/volunteer/
Since 1934, over a million youth worldwide have had the opportunity to participate in the Soap Box Derby’s STEM-driven, gravity racing programs—WE INVITE YOU TO BE PART OF OUR DERBY’S ICONIC HISTORY!!! Looking forward to meeting you and your GRC Team(s) at Derby Downs!!!