1. Motorsports-STEM (M-STEM)
Indiana STEM Education Conference 2019
Motorsports-STEM (M-STEM)
Using Motorsports to Accelerate STEM Education
Danny White, Stuart White and Jim M. Caruthers
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
January 10, 2019

2. Introduction and Purpose
2009 – Desire to expand electric vehicle education
2012 – Partnered with Indianapolis Motor Speedway and creation of evGrand Prix World Championship race
2016 – Experimental High School Race involving 7 karts
Present – Over 30 karts from 25 Indiana Schools

3. Introduction and Purpose
Provide STEM education that links coursework to real world application
Provide students with hands-on technical projects while raising awareness of electric vehicles
Teach students the skills necessary to work within the emerging Electric Vehicle (EV) industry
Introduce students to Motorsports Careers and experience the thrill of racing
Keep the cost of participation at an affordable level for all high schools

4. Career Pathways STEM enabled career pathways
BS/MS in Engineering and Technology
Associate Degree
Advanced machining
Robotics
Logistics
Etc.
Industry Certification
Master Electrician
Master Welder
Business
Organizational Leadership
Supply Chain Management
Operations
Etc.
STEM connected career pathways

5. Advanced Manufacturing Jobs
Robotic Assembly
Advanced Manufacturing Jobs
Texas Instrument Chip Factory
CNC Machine Shop
Pharmaceutical Factory
Polymer Processing Line
Porsche Engine Factory
Advanced Manufacturing Facilities
High Tech
Clean
Not Mindless Assembly Line
Pay Good Wages
Require STEM-Enabled Workers
This are the types of fulfilling jobs that people can have if they have appropriate education

6. evGrand Prix Components
Go Kart Science and Technology
STEM Curriculum built around an electric go kart
Integrates STEM subjects to the evGrand Prix Program
Data Collection through use of Physics Box :
Acceleration/Velocity
Power to motor
G-Force
Pedal Position
Content specific lessons and materials:
Analysis of Newton’s Laws
Mechanical & Electric Systems
Go kart Setup
Battery Technology
Physics Box
evGrand Prix Components
evGrand Prix
Program
Build, Set-up and Race an electric go-kart
High School evGrandPrix held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of Indy500 festivities
Education event requiring multiple skill sets
35% Race Placement
15% Energy Efficiency
15% Engineering Design
15% Project Management & Marketing
15% Community Outreach
5% Creative Expression
High School evGrandPrix
Important 1st year topics.
Science, Engineering and Technical skills, Project Management, Design, Fabrication, Public Speaking.

7. Components cont. Student Teams (5 to 20 or more students)
Teams must raise some/all of money from the local community
Teams include a wide array of talents  career pathways
Engineering design
Manufacturing
Project Management
Advertising/Marketing
Communications
The local manufacturing & business community supports the team
Financially
Support – technical, manufacturing, business, advertising
Interested parents/grandparents often help with the go-kart
Integrated teamwork
Includes STEM and non-STEM career pathways
Includes university bound, Associate Degree bound & industry bound students on the same project
Helps prepare students to be college and/or career ready

8. Yearly Tasks 1st Year participants
Complete marketing and sponsorship curriculum materials
Create a budget and purchase required components
Complete kart assembly curriculum materials
Collect data during spring test and tune events
Refine setup and acquire track experience
Teams with Prior Experience
Collect data during fall karting science Saturday events
Redesign previous years kart based on fall events data
Revisit kart assembly curriculum materials during kart rebuild
Refine new kart setup and acquire track experience
All Participants
Document all steps and prepare presentations for academic challenge
Meet all tech inspection and safety requirements

9. Data Collection Physics Box
Download Data from Physics Box
Run kart at track or during Karting Activity.
Data Analysis for design and setup improvements
Data collection allows teams to explore all aspects of go kart racing, including:
How is kart setup influence kart performance?
How does changing kart dynamic affect kart response?
How does driver performance improve as experience increases?
What affect does kart setup and driver experience affect battery performance and energy efficiency?

10. Data Collection Activities
Left hand turns resulting in positive (+) acceleration
for approximately 2 seconds
Right hand turns resulting in positive (-) acceleration
for approximately 4 seconds A B

11. Karting Activities
Learn – Learn the science content behind specific motorsports applications i.e. Gears and Gear Ratios
Practice – Classroom curriculum provides immediate feedback on understanding and application
Collect Data – Go Kart specific activities provide hands-on application, Physics Box allows for immediate data collection and analysis

12. Balance and Center of Mass
Content studied science class relates directly to motorsports and evGrand Prix Karting Science Curriculum. Karting Science Curriculum in-turn reinforces science content and provides a context for learning within the classroom.

13. Go Kart Science Various Go-Kart Science projects
Straight line velocity and acceleration
Centrifugal acceleration and force
Energy and power
Kart balancing
Gear ratios and torque
Determining Geometric Race Line
Ground Effects and Airflow
Other projects under development
Fall Events
teams meet at various go-kart tracks around the state on specific Saturdays in the fall
Safety training
Kart data collection/test workshops
Academic competition workshops – prepare for winter events
Work with new teams as they develop their go-kart

14. Go Kart Science cont. Various Go-Kart Science projects
Technical drawings
Equipment and systems calculations
Steering and steering components
Batteries and battery technology
Circuits and circuit components
Motor controller and energy
Ground Effects and Airflow
Other projects under development
Winter Events
teams meet at various go-kart tracks around the state on specific Saturdays in the fall
Safety training
Kart design/build workshops
Academic competition workshops – prepare for spring events
Work with new teams as they develop their go-kart

15. Go Kart Science cont. Various Go-Kart Science projects
Steering and Steering component setup
Powertrain setup
Acceleration and braking
Kart balancing
Gear ratios and torque
Determining Geometric Race Line
Energy efficiency
Motor controller setup
Other projects under development
Spring Events
teams meet at various go-kart tracks around the state on specific Saturdays in the spring
Safety training
Kart setup/test workshops
Academic competition workshops – prepare for IMS event
Work with new teams as they develop their go-kart

16. World Championships At Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Week prior to Pole Day (IndyCars are running)
Academic Competitions: Not just a race
35% race placement
15% energy efficiency
15% engineering design
15% community outreach
15% management & marketing
5% art/design
Community Celebration
Connection to collegiate teams (Purdue, IvyTech, etc.)
Presence of media – just like high school basketball and football (school size doesn’t matter)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway