Goodyear, Soap Box Derby partner for 22nd STEM Career Day

AKRON — Goodyear recently held its own version of Derby Day.

Goodyear and the International Soap Box Derby hosted a mini-car championship race May 14 as part of Goodyear's annual STEM Career Day, an outreach event encouraging high school and middle school students to pursue opportunities in various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

The event was livestreamed from Goodyear's Innovation Center at the company's headquarters in Akron.

In collaboration with the Soap Box Derby, Goodyear sent mini Soap Box Derby car kits to more than 1,300 students across Northeast Ohio, allowing students to explore different STEM applications connected to racing. The middle school race challenge prompted students to evaluate how the weight placement in mini-cars affects test times on a track with varying slopes and lengths, while high school students could choose to participate in an aerodynamics race challenge and/or unleash their creativity in an automotive design activity.

Students submitted their weight configurations, designs and mini-cars for evaluation, and submissions for the race challenges were screened by the Soap Box Derby in qualifying trials. The top cars participated in the race.

"For over 20 years, Goodyear's STEM Career Days have inspired students to immerse themselves in STEM," said Brandy Moorhead, Goodyear senior director of global off-highway product development. "Goodyear takes great pride in our ability to motivate these talented students and we are committed to continue supporting and promoting STEM education in our communities."

"We are excited with this Goodyear partnership and delivering their STEM career day virtually," said Mark Gerberich, president and CEO of the International Soap Box Derby. "This program promotes our mission and impacts students, which opens their minds, with critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration."

In addition to the races and design challenge, Goodyear funded scholarships for students that will attend any accredited college or university program to pursue a bachelor's degree in a designated STEM discipline.

Here are the winners, with first name and Akron-area school:

High School Mini Car Championship:

1. Tara – Ellet CLC
2. Joshua – Green HS
3. Kalysta – Ellet CLC
4. Brayden – Ellet CLC

High School Innovative Shell Design:

1. Lauren – Medina HS
2. Grant – Green HS
3. Eric – Norton HS
4. Isabella – Kenmore Garfield CLC

Middle School Mini Car Championship:

1. Faith – Jennings CLC
2. Jackson – Homeschool
3. Saugat – Jennings CLC
4. Casey – Glenwood Intermediate School