All-American Soap Box Derby

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Joe Mazur
President and CEO
All-American Soap Box Derby
Joe@aasbd.org
330-733-8723

Maria Nagel
Nagel Advertising
Maria_Nagel1@yahoo.com
330-764-9229

Ohio PBS affiliate provides STEM curriculum,

Masters of Gravity, to educators and the public at no cost.

Akron, Ohio (May 2011) - In an effort to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning in school systems across the world, Ohio PBS affiliate, Western Reserve Public Media has produced Masters of Gravity - a multimedia educational package based on the All American Soap Box Derby, headquartered in Akron, Ohio.  The curriculum targets students in grades 5 and 6 and is designed, developed, and classroom-tested by teachers in Northeast Ohio.  The package includes eight instructional video programs (available on demand) and a teacher guide with classroom activities. Western Reserve Public Media is providing Maters of Gravity to the public and educators at no charge.

Schools purchase soap box car kits from the All-American Soap Box Derby then download the curriculum. Students work in teams to build and race the cars combining racing and learning in a fun, educational process focused on mathematics and physics. Pods within the series explore collection and analysis of data; ratio and proportion; geometry; simple machines; gravity; energy; friction; and speed. The videos work in conjunction with lesson plans in the teacher guide to maximize the learning opportunities in each segment.

The growth in building and racing Soap Box cars in Akron, Ohio schools has prompted the All-American Soap Box Derby to host a STEM Challenge Championship race on the big hill at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. The second annual STEM Challenge was held on Friday, May 27, 2011 and is separate from the All-American races and rallies that are held throughout the world and end at the championship at Derby Downs in July.

The STEM program has also resulted in raising interest in the All-American race. Last year's STEM Challenge participants our now competing in their city's local races to fight for the chance to race at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio in the World Championship in July. 

"This is a pivotal venture on the part of Western Reserve Public Media. Children are able to develop critical competencies that are needed in crucial areas of learning," said Joe Mazur, President and CEO of the All-American Soap Box Derby.

• In the 2006 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) comparison, American students ranked 21st out of 30 in science literacy among students from developed countries, and 25th out of 30 in math literacy.
• On the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math tests, 4th graders showed no signs of progress for the first time in many years, and 8th graders tallied only modest evidence of progress.

Upon these findings, President Obama launched the "Educate to Innovate" campaign to improve participation and performance of America's students in STEM which includes efforts from the Federal Government, leading companies, foundations, non-profits, and science and engineering societies to work with young people across America to excel in science and math. The All-American Soap Box Derby and Western Reserve Public Media have collaborated to provide a "vehicle" to reach these objectives.

All Masters of Gravity materials are available at no charge at http://westernreservepublicmedia.org/gravity/index.htm.  All-American Soap Box Derby car kits can be purchased at www.aasbd.org and by clicking on SHOP NOW or by calling 330-733-8723.