More than 40 fourth-grade classrooms participate in the first-ever Mini Soap Box Derby Race held during Indiana’s largest free outdoor festival just for kids.

INDIANAPOLIS (July 31, 2019) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500^®, in partnership with the Indianapolis Soap Box Derby, announce the top finishers from the inaugural Mini Soap Box Derby Race.

In the first year of partnership, the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Soap Box Derby invited participating fourth-grade classrooms in the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500^® Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health, to partake in the first-ever Mini Soap Box Derby Race. Each class assembled and raced 1:13 scale-models of Soap Box Derby race cars. There were 43 classrooms that competed in the momentous race on May 11, 2019, at the Salesforce and JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day, Indiana’s largest free outdoor festival just for kids.

 

The 2019 Mini Soap Box Derby Race Top 8 Finishers:

1. Beth Schwering’s class from St. Nicholas School (Sunman, IN)
2. Haajar Shaaban’s class from Memorial Elementary (Valparaiso, IN)
3. Stephanie Basile’s class (Science A) from Raymond F. Brandes #65 (Indianapolis, IN)
4. Melissa White’s class from St. Joseph Hessen Cassel (Fort Wayne, IN)
5. Stacie Hernandez’s class from St. Monica Catholic School (Indianapolis, IN)
6. Katy Burnau’s class from Ossian Elementary (Ossian, IN)
7. Emilie Meyer’s class from Ossian Elementary (Ossian, IN)
8. Chase Estepp’s class from Kankakee Valley Intermediate (Wheatfield, IN)

Beth Schwering’s winner class from St. Nicholas School (Sunman, IN)

 

The first place mini-car in the competition was from Mrs. Schwering’s 4th grade class at St. Nicholas School in Sunman, Indiana. “Our class did test runs and made changes to make the car go farther. The class learned a lot about design, planning, car mechanics, and how it moves. The kids had a lot of fun!” said Mrs. Schwering.

“The 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500® Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health, plays an important role in furthering the 500 Festival’s mission to enrich lives, foster positive community impact and celebrate the Indy 500,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “The 2019 Mini Soap Box Derby Race presents a wonderful opportunity for the Education Program students to learn the fundamentals of engineering, physics and team collaboration in the classroom while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500.”

“This race was a fun way to engage the curious minds of our future leader’s in STEM. The competition allows students to be part of the legendary racing tradition of Indianapolis with their own car creations,” said Bob Getts, director of the Indianapolis Soap Box Derby.

 

Distinguished Award Winners:

• Most Creative: Megan Terrell’s class from Southport Elementary (Southport, IN)
• Most Colorful: Stephanie Basile’s class (Science B) from Raymond Brandes #65 (Indianapolis, IN)
• Most Colorful Runner-up: Pam Todd’s class from Central Noble Elementary (Albion, IN)
• Most Artistic: Michael Bleyle’s class (Room 305) from Je-Neir Elementary (Momence, IL)
• Most Artistic Runner-up: Mrs. Murphy & Miss Williams’ class from Southport Elementary (Southport, IN)
• Indy 500 Theme: Mrs. Burns’s Class from Kankakee Valley Intermediate (Wheatfield, IN)
• Unique Sponsor: The Steak ‘n’ Shake Car from Miss Emilye Havell’s class at Horizon Christian School (Indianapolis, IN)
• Engineering Innovation: Michael Bleyle’s class (Room 304) from Je-Neir Elementary (Momence, IL)
• Engineering Design: Kelly Bell’s Class from Kankakee Valley Intermediate (Wheatfield, IN)
• Sports Engaging: Lindsey Catellier’s Class from Reagan Elementary (Brownsburg, IN)

 

The 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500^® Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health, is a free program that immerses Indiana 4^th grade students in the world of the Indianapolis 500^® and 500 Festival, exploring their important place in Indiana’s history and culture. The Education Program takes place during the spring and is open to all Indiana 4th grade classrooms. The 500 Festival provides teachers registered for the Education Program with engaging lessons and classroom materials, for free. More than a field trip, the Education Program is a combination of in-class curriculum – based on Indiana Academic Standards – and an optional Study Trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or a Mobile Study Trip to your school, bringing the classroom lessons to life.

 

Registration for the 2020 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500® Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health, is available now. To learn more about the Education Program or register a class, visit 500Festival.com/EducationProgram.

 

The 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500^® Education Program is supported by Indiana University Health, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 500 Festival Foundation, Regions Bank, NTT IndyCar Series, and Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC.

 

About the 500 Festival

Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500® and fostering positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $400 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com, follow us on Twitter @500festival, or on Facebook.

 

About The International Soap Box Derby®

A non-profit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through fair and honest racing competitions, STEM curriculums, and other community-focused activities.

 

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