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Soap Box Derby Receives Grant from Huntington-Akron Foundation (1)

The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) announced it has received a grant from the Huntington-Akron Foundation for the ISBD After-School STEM Neighborhood Initiative for $17,425.

This grant will provide opportunities for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education with community youth groups such as Akron Children’s Museum, Akron Urban League, Launch Kenmore, and Summit County Fatherhood Initiative. This program provides meaningful experiences through fair and honest racing competitions and STEM curriculums, which is part of the Derby’s mission.

The ISBD has worked with these established organizations in the past and will further develop programs with their participants. The Mini Soap Box Derby Car STEM Education Program will impact 630 youth grades three through twelve in the Akron area. Children from the Akron Public Schools who are lower- to middle-income (LMI) will be selected to participate in a specially designed Soap Box Derby STEM program that will be held at the Akron Children’s Museum.

The ISBD selected these organizations because they are strong and well-respected in the community. The ISBD After-School STEM Neighborhood Initiative enhances programs offered at these organizations. The ISBD’s unique STEM Program reinforces math and science concepts to younger children and gives them an opportunity for hands-on activities that will deepen their understanding of STEM principles.

The Mini-Car program consists of 1/13 scale model Soap Box Derby race cars. Included within the activities are tasks that take the learner on a journey where they will assemble and race their Mini Car.This grant will ensure that each of the community youth groups will have the required materials so that they can participate in the Mini-Car Program, including activity books for the students, a six-inch ruler to complete, a certificate of completion, and the 1/13 scale model car.

“The Huntington-Akron Foundation is committed to helping people lead better lives and strengthening the neighborhoods within the City of Akron,” says Nick Browning, president of the Huntington-Akron Foundation. “We deeply appreciate the opportunity to work with the dedicated team at the International Soap Box Derby and we are pleased to support the After-School STEM Education Program.”

“We are so appreciative of our partnership with Huntington on so many levels,” said Mark Gerberich, president and chief executive officer of ISBD. “This grant really helps the Soap Box Derby solidify its partnerships with so many community groups--Launch Kenmore, Akron Children’s Museum, the Fatherhood Initiative, and Akron Urban League. This is a great opportunity for us to support the underserved neighborhoods in our community.”

The Huntington-Akron grant will continue the Derby’s momentum of having an impact on community partners and schools.