News Article

Students Set to Compete in the Soap Box Derby’s Gravity Racing Challenge STEM Team Competition Presented by The University of Akron

While this week’s event will look different from previous years, 63 student teams from 15 different schools/organizations from grades three through eight will converge at the world-famous Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio, to compete for a victory in the Soap Box Derby Gravity Racing Challenge (GRC) STEM Team Competition presented by The University of Akron. Teams will make their individual runs down the track at pre-scheduled times during the week of May 9 -13, 2022.

The GRC is part of the Derby’s education-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) racing initiative that engages students in project-based learning, creative problem solving and team building where teams will compete in the traditional Stock and Super Stock divisions. Created as an in-school or after-school program, the GRC encourages teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Teams comprised of two adult coaches and three to 10 students, spend the year designing, building, and testing their Soap Box Derby cars with the hopes of bringing home a Gravity Racing Challenge STEM Team Competition trophy.

Participating Schools/Teams

Coventry Middle School

Green Intermediate

Barberton Middle School

Preston Elementary School

Austintown Middle School

St. Sebastian Parish School, Diocese of Cleveland

SCOPE Academy

Holy Family School, Stow

Streetsboro Middle School

Seiberling CLC

Louisville Middle School

Bridges Learning Center

Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, Troop 50777

St. Vincent de Paul Parish School

Revere Middle School

“It has been a challenge to run the GRC race for elementary and middle schools, as COVID restrictions were different for all school trips off property. We are thankful for the teams participating against each other individually and look forward to next year when teams can have competition with other teams,” said ISBD President and CEO Mark Gerberich. “This is an important event for the Derby from a mission and racing standpoint as students gain knowledge, character, communication and collaboration techniques that develop their life skills.”

For more information about the Gravity Racing Challenge STEM Team Competition presented by The University of Akron visit gravityracingchallenge.soapboxderby.org.

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