Chicago Heights School District 170's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Program has partnered with the Accelerate Indoor Speedway & Events to launch a STEM Academy with a curriculum aligned with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards at the 75,000-square-foot racing- themed entertainment center in Mokena.
Utilizing the curriculum developed by CHSD170's STEM educators, the Academy will serve Chicago-area students in grades 3-12. Elements of the program address diverse topics including the history of racing; the science of speed, acceleration, and friction; Newton's Laws of Motion; momentum; mathematics (degrees, angles and turns); and reading/language arts (racing vocabulary, safety, and terminology) in an on-site classroom lesson.
"A program of this type presents an opportunity for students from the south suburban area to experience hands-on applications that enhance the classroom experience," said Nick Pezzuto, the STEM Academy's Director.
"The student's grasp of lessons of this type is maximized when they physically experience elements that previously were limited to the classroom. Once that happens the lessons become more easily understood and applied as practical applications," Pezzuto added.
The Accelerate Indoor Speedway STEM Academy is part of a growing national trend of experiential learning, where students learn by doing. The goal is to provide students a learning environment that is tactile, as well as cerebral.
"Working with Accelerate to develop a contemporary, rigorous curriculum has been extremely rewarding for our staff and students," said Stephanie Cryer, STEM's Foreign Language/Language Arts instructor.
"Through the relationship, we have built, students from across the region will experience an educational and enjoyable field trip that adheres to the common core state standards."
James Galdikas, the speedway's General Manager, praised the cooperative effort that coupled the CHSD170 STEM Program together with Accelerate.
"We're looking forward to working with educators from the entire region in providing world-class, memorable lessons," he said.
"We already have had inquiries from other districts about the program and will continue to work to improves and expand the curriculum that District 170 has created."
Angela Novak (ELA/Writing), Ken Hanson (Social Studies), David Fazzini (Engineering/Coding), and Safiyah Malvin (Science/Engineering) were among the members of the STEM staff who contributed to the creation of the Accelerate curriculum.
The Accelerate Indoor Speedway features two Grand Prix-style indoor tracks and next-generation Italian-made, electric karts with touchscreens, boost buttons, speakers to simulate a Formula 1 engine that can reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour, along with glass walls to watch all the action. The European style go-karting provide a real racing experience utilizing unique, high-speed electric Italian F1-inspired pro-karts that reach speeds of up to 50 mph. The attractive, upscale facility has the latest technology and is ideal for corporate events, team building, fundraisers and competition racing events.