Go Kart Science and Technology
The Hardware Store Science experiments are one part of the larger Motorsports STEM (M-STEM) program. In addition to the Hardware Store Science experiments that are supported by this web site, there are two additional components to the M-STEM program:
- Go Kart Science and Technology
- evGrand Prix Educational Program
Go Kart Science are activities where students can apply the physical science concepts that they have learned via Hardware Store Science to an electric go-kart that they have designed and built. There are a series of educational modules that can be used either in the classroom or as an after school project that make science come alive via a real world device. For a more complete discussion see Go Kart Science and Technology in Educational Materials.
Hardware Store Science
Experiments
- In-classroom projects: Hands-on, inquiry experiments
- Student teams build their own experimental test apparatus
Beam Bending Experiment
Go Kart Science & Technology
- Go Kart Science
connects underlying physics principals to the go kart
- Technology
- Technical drawing
- Mechanical systems
- Electrical systems
- Etc.
- Go Kart Education Competitions:
- Fall Semester: Go Kart Science Saturday
- Spring Semester: Test & Tune
evGrandPrix Education Program
- Student teams design and build an electric go kart
- High School evGrandPrix held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of Indy500 festivities
2016 High School evGrandPrix
Go Kart Science & Technology is not a required component of the Hardware Store Science curriculum, where students still receive considerable value from the hands-on, inquiry-based experiments in a classroom physical science course. However, if students anticipate participating in the evGrand Prix World Championship Race and Academic Competition, these resources provide a real opportunity to reinforce understanding gained from the Hardware Store Science activities using a real world device. This is because many of the physical science concepts developed in the Hardware Store Science experiments have a direct connection to the efficient and effective use of an electric go-kart during competitive racing action. Moreover, the fun and excitement of building an electric go-kart and then competing against other high school teams is a powerful motivation for students to learn the science, technology, engineering and mathematics associated with the testing, tuning and prepping the go-kart for race day activities – the STEM concepts and principles being taught in the Hardware Store Science program.
Go Kart Science & Technology also includes the development of making/manufacturing skills needed to design, build and test an electric go-kart that student teams will then race in the evGrand Prix World Championship event at Purdue University during the month of May. Go Kart Science & Technology is a compliment to Hardware Store Science, providing students with real world application of both the ‘science/math’ part of STEM as well as the ‘engineering/technology’ part of STEM.
