News

SOAP BOX DERBY RECEIVES STEM EDUCATION GRANT FROM THE SUMMIT COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2020/2021

The International Soap Box Derby® (ISBD) has received a $30,000-grant from the Summit County Community Development Block Grant to place the Soap Box Derby’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education Programs in seven Summit County school districts. More than more than 940 students will benefit from this grant.

Students at Green Intermediate, O.H Sommers School in Mogadore, Holy Family in Stow, will participate in the Soap Box Derby Mini Soap Box Derby Car STEM Education Program, they will construct, test, and race 1/13 scale modes of Soap Box Derby cars. Students will participate in a multi-lesson Mini Soap Box Derby Car program where they will learn important STEM concepts (such as force, friction and gravity). These schools will receive mini cars, as well as student activity booklets, teacher guides, tool kits, and other resources. 

Students at Towpath Trail, Springfield, Coventry Middle and High School, Green High School, Holy Family in Stow will be a part of the Soap Box Derby’s Gravity Racing Challenge (GRC) STEM Team Competition presented by the University of Akron. High School teams in the program’s Engineering Design Challenge construct full-size Soap Box Derby cars using the Derby's Engineering Design kit. Student teams assemble the chassis of their car based on  the provided plans, then use their creativity, engineering and design skills to build the body shell according to the GRC guidelines.

Through this Summit County Community Development Block Grant, the International Soap Box Derby continues its mission to “educate and inspire youth.”  The Derby’s commitment to its mission has resulted in the development of several Soap Box Derby STEM education programs, including the GRC presented by the University of Akron.

“The Soap Box Derby Mini Soap Box Derby Car STEM Education Program is a special opportunity for students to learn about science and technology while completing exciting, hands-on learning,” said Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “Summit County is proud to sponsor this program for local students and happy to once again partner with ISBD, an organization committed to supporting both fun and educational activities.”

Mark Gerberich, ISBD president and chief executive officer, said, “We are excited to continue our partnership with the County of Summit with the CDBG grant. This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with local schools in Summit County on STEM learning and problem solving.”