Holley eighth grader Luis Soto gets some help from technology teacher Tim Rogers drilling a hole in his handmade car. Provided photoThe sounds of sanders and saws drown out the few conversations taking place in Tim Rogers’ eighth grade technology class at Holley Middle School/High School. The students are totally involved in the task at hand – designing and making miniature wooden race cars. According to Rogers, it has been this way for years. “We’ve been doing this project for decades – it’s timeless and always a favorite,” he said. “Cars have been a huge part of our society for a long time and the basic principles still apply.”
First, the class goes through the design process and drawing a prototype. “We talk about aerodynamics – how something goes through a fluid,” said Rogers. “Then we bring in bits and pieces of engineering processes.” The focus now is on energy efficiency tying in carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles and looking at global warming as an issue. “That is what makes this project so important – that we’re able to tie in so many topics,” said Rogers.
The final step is the finish. “We talk about how finish affects aerodynamics and it’s another way for the students to individualize their cars,” said Rogers. Once the cars are complete, and made to look as cool and fast as they really are, the students race them on a huge track that goes the length of the classroom. “The race is something for them to look forward to – and I know they’ll work hard so they get that chance,” Rogers said.
