NASCAR, Chicago Street Race and Chicago Public Schools Host STEM and STEAM Fest at the Field Museum

Nearly 500 Students will interact with NASCAR drivers, engineers and other industry STEM professionals at the Field Museum

WHAT:

NASCAR, the Chicago Street Race, and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will host nearly 500 students from over 40 STEM and STEAM schools at the Field Museum on Tuesday, May 2 as they interact with NASCAR drivers and engineers to learn about career opportunities.

With the support of Trackhouse Racing’s No. 99 NASCAR Cup Series race team and STEM professionals from across the industry, CPS student groups in each grade will compete onsite in a NASCAR-themed academic challenge for complimentary tickets to the Chicago Street Race Weekend on July 1-2.

More than 22,000 K-12 STEM students participated in a NASCAR helmet design competition for a chance to attend STEAM Fest at the Field Museum. Finalists from across the District will participate in scavenger hunts and other activities including a discussion by race car driver Daniel Suarez, which will take place in Spanish, about his career and opportunities available through the sport.

WHERE: 

The Field Museum; 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60605

WHEN: 

Tuesday, May 2, 10:30 a.m. to Noon

WHO:

Pedro Martinez, CEO, Chicago Public Schools

Julie Giese, President, Chicago Street Race

Mary Beck, Acting Chief of Teaching and Learning, Chicago Public Schools

Kelli Easterly, Executive Director of STEM, Chicago Public Schools

Aimee Davis, Sr. Director of Learning, Field Museum

Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Cup Series Driver No. 99, Trackhouse Racing

Students and teachers, Chicago Public Schools

WHY:  

Beginning in March, CPS students from all 43 STEM and STEAM schools began to compete in an in-classroom design challenge culminating with the first-ever “STEAM Fest.” The initial partnership was announced by CPS and Chicago Street Race officials at the Field Museum on February 21 with the help of 2023 DAYTONA 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., fresh off the driver’s victory at Daytona International Speedway.

In addition, CPS and NASCAR are working together to develop new STEM curriculum for eighth-grade students exploring fundamental science and engineering concepts within the sport. The NASCAR-themed curriculum, designed to address Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Performance Expectations, will be finalized and introduced in middle schools during the 2023-2024 school year.

*All students in attendance will have a signed media release and can be photographed.

RSVP

Brent S. Gambill, NASCAR, bgambill@nascar.com, 804-306-5936

Jake DiGregorio, NASCAR, jdigregorio@nascar.com, 508-414-8853