Miss Sprint Cup, driver Jeb Burton reward Randolph Middle School
It’s not every day you get called to a school assembly and are greeted by Miss Sprint Cup and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeb Burton, but students at Randolph Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina were treated to surprise guests and more on Thursday morning when The NASCAR Foundation announced them as the winner of the first ever P.I.T. Crew Project.
The P.I.T. (Promoting Innovation and Technology) Crew Project is a motorsports-themed science competition created by The NASCAR Foundation in partnership with Sprint, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Middle schoolers were challenged to demonstrate how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is essential to drivers and teams competing for a spot in Victory Lane. Four finalists were chosen in April and Randolph Middle School’s model of Talladega Superspeedway emerged victorious after a public fan vote to decide the winner.
“Our students really had a great time coming up with their NASCAR video, with all the physics involved with NASCAR racing,” said Principal Brian Bambauer of the program.
As part of the grand prize, Randolph Middle School will have its media center transformed into a Makerspace, complete with 3D printers, flat screen monitors, an interactive table and more. Students of the winning team will also get to experience what it’s like to be All-Stars as they visit Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend and meet 2015 Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano. The NASCAR Hall of Fame will also bring 300 RMS students on a tour later this year.
The P.I.T. Crew Project is just one of The NASCAR Foundation’s endeavors to show commitment toward encouraging and inspiring children’s education. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, go to NASCARFoundation.org.