Chicago Public Schools Partners with NASCAR and the Chicago Street Race to Engage Students Through STEM/STEAM

Inaugural ‘STEAM FEST’ to Feature K-12 Students in NASCAR-themed Design Competition at Field Museum on May 2

CHICAGO, Ill. – As excitement builds for 2023 Chicago Street Race Weekend, NASCAR and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced a collaborative initiative that will engage and inspire more than 22,000 students with racing-themed STEM and STEAM learning experiences and curriculum. The partnership was announced by CPS and Chicago Street Race officials today at the Field Museum in downtown Chicago with the help of 2023 DAYTONA 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., fresh off the driver’s victory at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

Beginning in March, CPS students from all 43 STEM and STEAM schools will compete in an in-classroom design challenge culminating with the first-ever “STEAM Fest” in downtown Chicago on May 2. Nearly 500 student finalists will interact with NASCAR drivers, engineers and other industry STEM professionals at the Field Museum in the event’s championship round for a chance to attendthe Chicago Street Race Weekend.

In addition, CPS and NASCAR will work 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.

“Chicago was the birthplace of American auto racing in 1895 and we couldn’t be more excited to give our students an opportunity to be a part of that history through our District’s partnership with NASCAR,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. ”Hands-on projects like STEAM Fest will empower students to make real-world connections with their studies that take them from the start-finish line all the way to the checkered flag and exciting career opportunities in STEM.” to STEAM Fest at the Field Museum. At the event, schools will be assigned a new NASCAR challenge and compete against each other with the support of NASCAR Cup Series drivers and STEM professionals employed across the sport. The champion groups for each grade will receive complimentary tickets to the Chicago Street Race Weekend.

The collaboration reflects NASCAR’s overarching commitment to the Chicago community and specifically programs that have a positive and lasting impact on local youth and teens.

The curriculum integration, which will impact eighth-grade students at all CPS middle schools, will focus on the research and design process. Together with NASCAR engineers, CPS STEM faculty will identify specific engineering needs that exist in NASCAR and students will be tasked with building design proposals that address the real-word challenge with potential solutions.

A group of eighth-grade students will visit the site of the Chicago Street Race to learn first-hand how the curriculum material comes to life at a NASCAR event and the sport’s first street race in its 75-year history. The students will capture data and content leading up to the event, which will be included in the curriculum planned for launch.

Chicago Street Race

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor,GreaterGrand Crossing, Burnside,Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END Washington Heights,Roseland,Rosemoor, Englewood,West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman,Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

SOUTH SUBURBAN

Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island,SouthHolland,and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

HYDE PARK Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores,Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland,South Shore and Hyde Park.

“When you consider the science and technology that exists across NASCAR, we have a unique opportunity to connect CPS students with STEM education in ways that are fun, engaging and hopefully inspiring,” said Julie Giese, Chicago Street Race President.

“Importantly, NASCAR and the Chicago Street Race are building foundational programs with CPS that will benefit students and teachers now and for many years into the future.”

The design competition will enable NASCAR to connect with more than 22,000 students enrolled at CPS STEM and STEAM Schools, with every student in grades K-12 challenged to design their own race helmets. The students, organized in groups, will receive kits with simple materials and design race helmets that address key elements including safety, communication, ventilation, and other technological innovations. The complexity of the challenge will vary depending on grade.

As part of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season, the first-ever Chicago Street Race will feature the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series competing on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile street course that will take competitors past and through many of Chicago’s most renowned downtown landmarks, along with full-length concerts by The Chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert with the support of The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett over Fourth of July Weekend on July 1-2.

General admission and reserved tickets are on sale for the Chicago Street Race. Two-day general admission ticket are on sale starting at $269. Reserved tickets that offer an array of opportunities including reserved seating and a wide variety of premium experiences start at $465. To purchase tickets, fans can log onto NASCARChicago.com or call 1-888-629-7223.

The Cup Series street race will be nationally broadcast on NBC on Sunday, July 2 at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT and Xfinity Series street race will be broadcast nationally on USA Network at 5:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. CT.

SIMS CELEBRATES ILLINOIS’ SEVENTH CREDIT UPGRADE

For the seventh time in less than two years, Illinois has seen another improved bond rating. S&P Global Ratings – one of the nation’s major rating agencies – announced upgrades Thursday thanks to the fiscally responsible decisions made by Illinois Democrats.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. – the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader – released the following statement:

“Today’s news is yet another sign the years of fiscal responsibility from the General Assembly is paying off. In recent years, we have been able put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families and provide funding for the people who need the most help – all while paying down our bill backlog. Illinois is a standout state when it comes to putting the needs of our residents first, and we do so in a responsible and equitable way.

“S&P Global Ratings’ upgrade of Illinois bonds shows our fiscally responsible budgeting approach is working and is independent proof that our state is headed in the right direction. Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts during this year’s budget negotiation process to keep the state on this upward economic trajectory.”

JOYCE ANNOUNCES NEARLY $3 MILLION IN LOCAL OSLAD GRANTS

With support from State Senator Patrick Joyce, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is distributing nearly $3 million in grant funds to multiple communities in the 40th District as part of the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program.

“The funds from the OSLAD grants are a great resource for our communities so improvements can be made to parks and other outdoor spaces to continue to make them useful for folks,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Not only does this investment help keep our outdoor areas appealing, it continues to build up and maintain spaces for people to visit for safe, public outdoor recreation.”

A total of $60 million in state grants are being awarded for 118 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants represent the largest round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants in the 36-year history of the program.

OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that has become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded more than $530 million for park projects throughout Illinois. This year, the 40th District will receive funding in these local areas:

Chicago Heights Park District- $600,000

City of Kankakee- $600,000

Kankakee River Valley Forest Preserve District- $207,750

Village of Monee- $600,000

Village of University Park- $200,000

New Lenox Community Park District$600,000

Greenwood

Top-performing groups from each of the 43 schools will earn invitations

To stay up to date with the Chicago Street Race, fans can subscribe to receive exclusive Chicago Street Race emails, follow @NASCARChicago on Twitter and Facebook and download the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest real-time updates on all aspects of the event.

“These outdoor areas and recreational facilities have shown to promote growth among individuals, as well as the community, environment and the local economy,” said Joyce. “I will continue to always support the OSLAD grant program so our park districts and natural resource preserves in Illinois can continue to thrive.”

For more information about the OSLAD grant program and to see a full list of recipients, visit DNR’s website.