Saturday, February 16, 2013

NHRA NEWS: NHRA PARTNERS WITH TEN80 EDUCATION AND THE U.S. ARMY TO BRING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH TO LIFE FOR STUDENTS

Students Collaborate, Create & Compete in the Student Racing Challenge

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2013) — The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the U.S. Army and Ten80 Education are kicking off 2013 by immersing students, educators and administrators from across Southern California in the real-life applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts and careers.

The Ten80 Student Racing Challenge is a STEM curriculum and optional competition league adopted by schools in 29 states.  Students will be put to the test as they work in teams and compete to optimize performance of high tech tools such as a 1:10 scale radio-controlled (RC) racecar, fuel cells, robots and (new summer 2013) flight vehicles including helicopters. Students across the nation, supported by Ten80’s coalition of engineers and educators, collaborate and compete through challenges that directly parallel the arduous preparation of real racing, engineering and executive teams.


“I couldn’t think of a better partnership to advance NHRA’s youth initiative," said Brett Lyons, marketing and education manager, NHRA. "Joining forces with Ten80 Education and applying these STEM concepts to drag racing will get these students on the fast track to their future in a fun and educational way.”

Five regional kickoff events will be hosted by the NHRA including NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events at Pomona, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Dallas. Tony Schumacher, driver of the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, and Antron Brown, driver of the Matco Tools dragster, will take part in these events as guest speakers.