Race Cars meet High School - On the Road with Lauren: Episode 8

At Ashwaubenon High School, one final exam ends with a checkered flag instead of “pencils down.” They're trading lectures and laptops for the chance to design, build and race their own cars.

In an effort to set STEAM (that’s science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, for the uninitiated) apart, this district’s tech ed teacher, Jeremie Meyer, gives students an opportunity to design, build, and race their own Formula One-style cars.

Skills covered in the course include CAD (computer-aided drafting), welding, fabrication, and troubleshooting, all with a heavy emphasis on teamwork. Each spring, the class travels to the Road America Track in Kettle Moraine, Wisconsin, to test out their handiwork.

In the year leading up to their fast-paced final exam, the class works together to build their car from scratch. This process includes reaching out to the community for donations, engineering a frame for the vehicle, manufacturing the frame, and putting it all together.