NewsThank You Thursday - The University of Akron College of Engineering05.18.2017 In 2015 faculty in the College of Engineering and the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education at The University of Akron (UA) were awarded a $742,356 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to partner with the International Soap Box Derby and Akron Public Schools (APS) to formally design, integrate and evaluate the impact of curriculum around the Soap Box Derby Mini Cars that includes the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software, virtual and physical wind tunnel testing and 3D printers. Over the last two years eighth grade science students in APS got a firsthand experience in engineering design and testing thanks to the partnership. Students in additional APS buildings will get the opportunity to take part in the program this coming fall. This past March UA President Matthew J. Wilson announced that UA’s College of Engineering is partnering with the Derby on its Gravity Racing Challenge (GRC) STEM Team Competition. The College has been named the presenting sponsor of the competitions held in Akron, Cleveland, Columbus and Marysville, Ohio. “This is a collaboration we believe will help more students not only become proficient in STEM subjects, but also excited about them,” said UA President Wilson. More than 180 teams from three states are set to compete in this year’s Akron GRC STEM Team Competition presented by The University of Akron College of Engineering. Today high school teams compete in the Super Stock and High School Engineering Design Challenge Divisions. On Saturday, May 20th grade school, middle school and junior high teams will compete in the traditional Stock and Super Stock divisions. In addition, three teams from the University of Akron will compete in the Collegiate Engineering Design Challenge division. “We look forward to exposing more students to our STEM-based education programs through our collaboration,” said Soap Box Derby Vice President Bobby Dinkins. “We’ve partnered with the College of Engineering on several projects recently and feel this is a perfect fit because so many of the kids who become involved with Soap Box Derby racing are future engineers.” The GRC helps students learn team building, collaboration, problem solving, project management, how to work with tools, testing and refining engineering skills, and communications. “We are eager to support the growth and development of the next generation of engineers and STEM professionals through our partnership with the Soap Box Derby,” said Donald Visco, Interim Dean of The University of Akron College of Engineering. “The GRC program’s focus on education through hands-on experience aligns extremely well with the experience our engineering students at UA receive.” The Derby would like to say THANK YOU to The University of Akron College of Engineering for helping us continue our mission of building knowledge and character, and creating meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. This is the 34th installment of our weekly “Thank You Thursday” feature. Each week we will offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to a corporation, civic or community leader, volunteer, foundation or an individual who has helped us continue our mission. To view previous features please click below. Thank You ThursdayThursday, September 29, 2016 - FirstEnergy Corp.Thursday, October 6, 2016 - Don PlusquellicThursday, October 13, 2016 - Bill GinterThursday, October 20, 2016 - Marous Brothers ConstructionThursday, October 27, 2016 - Meggitt Aircraft Braking SystemsThursday, November 3, 2016 - Myers IndustriesThursday, November 10, 2016 - Outgoing Board MembersThursday, November 17, 2016 - New Board MembersThursday. November 24, 2016 - VolunteersThursday, December 1, 2016 - Dairy Queen Thursday, December 8, 2016 - Curriculum FundersThursday, December 15, 2016 - SUBWAY®Thursday, December 22, 2016 - Will LoomanThursday, December 29, 2016 - Taylor Made JewelryThursday, January 5, 2017 - Greater Akron ChamberThursday, January 12, 2017 - Bob TroyerThursday, January 19, 2017 - GPD GroupThursday, January 26, 2017 - Former Summit County Executive Russ Pry and the County of Summit, OhioThursday, February 2, 2017 - Pilot Flying JThursday, February 9, 2017 - Dave HubbellThursday, February 16, 2017 - AAA Akron Auto Club Thursday, February 23, 2017 - Danny HughesThursday, March 2, 2017 - Corbin BernsenThursday, March 9, 2017 - Dave Lieberth Thursday, March 16, 2017 - Joe MazurThursday, March 23, 2017 - Mary S. and David C. Corbin FoundationThursday, March 30, 2017 - Chris HarrisThursday, April 6, 2017 - Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation Thursday, April 13, 2017 - J.W. Didado ElectricThursday, April 20, 2017 - Welty Family Foundation Thursday, April 27, 2017 - Fallsway Equipment Company Thursday, May 4, 2017 - United Way of Summit CountyThursday, May 11, 2017 - Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau