Raceway hosts eighth graders for Speed into Science
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Richmond Raceway recently hosted 300 eighth grade students from schools in the greater Richmond region for the second annual Speed Into Science, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) educational event, sponsored by the Gene Haas Foundation and Code 3 Associates.
As part of the event, students had the opportunity to learn about the science of racing with NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) driver for Stewart-Haas Racing with Biagi-DenBeste, Cole Custer. Custer, driver of the No. 00, is running full-time in the NXS for Stewart-Haas Racing team. He has risen from racing in Quarter Midgets at age four to Late Models to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (CWTS) to competing in the NXS.
Custer claimed his first win in the NXS in 2017 and earned his first top ten finish in the NXS in 2016’s ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond. Custer has two career wins in the CWTS and one win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and Arca Racing Series.
“It means a lot to get to teach kids the science of racing because they're the future of our sport,” said Custer. “There is obviously a lot of science that goes into racing that people don't know about and letting kids see that is awesome. It's extremely important for kids to know the science behind racing because that’s what makes racing so interesting. The students get to take what they learned in the classroom and experience in person the hands-on science that goes into racing.”
Speed Into Science consists of four turns (i.e. stations), developed alongside local science teachers, focusing on force and motion, chemistry, sound, and thermal energy and friction. The first turn uses distracted driver and airbag simulators, and crash barrier experiments to teach force and motion. The second turn uses hands-on chemistry experiments that let the kids see chemistry happening before their eyes. In turn three, pace car experiments with Doppler speakers, police radar and race engine power demos teach students about sound. The final turn uses infrared video imaging, tire heat and measurements, for students to learn about thermal energy and friction. The curriculum for the event was developed in partnership with RVAStem and a group of volunteer teachers.
As part of Speed Into Science, Page Custom Rods & Restorations of Oilville, Va. provided several classic cars to showcase as part of the event. Custer drove one of the classic cars as part of Turn 4 on friction and thermal energy.
