Who: Sixty 5th grade students at Wilder-Waite Elementary School, with assistance from Bradley University mechanical engineering senior design students.
What: Students are currently involved in the “A World in Motion” unit of science. This means they are learning about friction, inertia, and Newton’s 3 laws. The 5th graders are also building balloon-powered cars to show how it relates to what they have studied. Twelve Bradley mechanical engineering senior design students working to construct a Formula SAE vehicle volunteered this semester to help the Wilder-Waite students with their cars.
The fifth graders’ “final” is Friday; their cars will be judged on creativity, speed and distance traveled, and the Bradley students will assist them. The cars are constructed with kits provided by the Society of Automotive Engineers.
When: Friday, February 17, 12:40 – 2:40
Where: Wilder-Waite School gymnasium; 10021 North Pacific, Peoria. (please check in at the school office)
Background:
The A World in Motion® curriculum joins together teachers, students, and volunteers in an exploration of physical science while addressing essential mathematic and scientific concepts and skills. Industry volunteers play an essential role in motivating the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math by bringing their everyday experiences into an AWIM classroom.
Each of the AWIM activities is designed around current math, science, and technology standards. SAE International provides the AWIM curriculum and materials at no cost to classroom teachers who complete a Statement of Partnership. The program consists of hands-on physical science curricula.
The Bradley University Formula SAE program gives students an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge in the rigors of modern engineering design under time, budget, and other resource constraints. The Bradley chapter of SAE also assists in the car to get underclassmen involved with motorsports and the Formula SAE program, preparing them for their careers and pursuing their interests in motorsports and engineering.
