Article from the Osprey Observer:
Burns Students Take STEM Skills To NASCAR Student Racing Challenge National Champions
Burns Middle School students had a chance to measure up their
science, technology, engineering, and math skills through some high-tech racing this month as they attended the 2013 NASCAR S.T.E.M. Ten8o Student Racing Challenge National Championships in Charlotte, NC.
?Kids often ask ?why am I learning this, or when am I ever going to use any of this stuff,?? said former race car driver and Burns Middle School technology teacher, Bobby Diehl. ?This is where NASCAR comes into the equation with its ?Student Racing Challenge? program designed to help kids put their STEM skills to good use.? The event is part of NASCAR?s annual Sprint Cup All-Star Race, featuring students that use radio controlled (RC) cars and perform tasks, such as constant speed straight runs, to see if they can control the throttle without breaking, set time limits and recording times to determine medians. Diehl was pleased to report that his students finished second-place in the middle schools division and fifth place overall.
?I couldn’t be more proud of our Burns Middle School Rookie Team,? Diehl said. ?The team used what they learned and problem-solved throughout the challenge. My statement to them was simple. "We have 364 days to get ready for the 2014 NASCAR S.T.E.M. Student Racing Challenge.? Diehl emphasized that through the program, his team, consisting of Chandler Blackmon, Robert Cunningham, Jack Lilly, Mike Previtera, George Rivera, Nick Hodson, Noah Daniels and Stephen Oats all learn the new Common Core
Concepts of math and science and incorporate them through technology
and engineering. ?They perform various tasks like time trials using stop watches and measuring track lengths, which help them understand place values, metric and standard measurements and conversions,? he said.
Building race tracks using scale drawings and utilizing algebraic concepts
to experiment in physical science laws such as force, mass, and acceleration and measuring time versus distance in real-world experiments, helps students see the units of measurements in action. ?The skills gained from the eight initial tasks help prepare students for mandatory standardized testing ?FCAT? Diehl said, adding that the skill-sets influence students to gain interest in careers in engineering, mechanics, graphics, marketing, public relation, future fuels, science, technology and much more.
?The program is based, not only around the world of motor sports and
NASCAR, but also weaves in the variety of many other technical careers
and industries within the community,? Diehl said. Of course, attending such an event is not without some obstacles like developing the budget for expenses to get to the Championship, which meant that the students had to raise the funds themselves by contacting local businesses for support. Bloomingdale Pizza, and the Brandon Chili?s offered to host spiritnight
fundraisers. The students also contacted other businesses for sponsorship
and were able to secure support from The Visiting Angels (a senior care company), FishHawk Family Eye Care and Pro Way Paving Systems of
Riverview (who is resurfacing an area for the RC Race Track outside of the
classroom). Team MK Racing (signage and vehicle wraps) and CNC Screen
Printing (a T-shirt and printing company) also offered their expertise. The students have developed the Official ?Team Burns Racing? T-shirts
that are now available for a donation of $10.00, all of which will help support
its funding drive. To cover the cost and travel expenses of their once-in-a-lifetime trip, Burns students welcome donations and community support.
Persons interested in helping or in obtaining more information, may email
Bobby Diehl at fastruckinc@aol.com,
or call 813-817-7223.
