Vroooooom! Girls in Engineering Learn the Ins and Outs of Auto Racing

This June, Girls in Engineering Academy students participated in the pilot Detroit NXG Academy MA100 Road Ready class. Their first day on the track is shown above.

BY SUSAN THWING

Helping girls push past the traditional and make their mark on all aspects of engineering careers—that’s one of the goals of the Engineering Society of Detroit’s Girls in Engineering Academy (GEA).

And what better way to do that than take them out to the racetrack?

“Automobile racing had its origins in Europe during the late 1800s and eventually made its way to the United States in the 20th century. Historically, men have dominated the sport of auto racing since its inception,” says Dr. Gerald Thompkins, GEA Program Manager.

To help change that, GEA partnered with NXG Youth Motorsports to get middle and high school girls more engaged in motorsports and motorsports competition.

“Fewer than one percent of all the motorsports drivers are women. We want our students to have a well-rounded understanding of STEM education, and every aspect of motorsports has some relevant element pertaining to STEM concepts,” Thompkins said.

The partnership kicked off at last summer’s Detroit Grand Prix with two GEA participants joining in on the NXG Youth Motorsports program—designed to show minority students the world of motorsports. NXG is a nonprofit that originated 15 years ago in Indianapolis in response to the lack of African American involvement in motorsports.

NXG teaches life skills and puts kids behind the wheel aiming to bring the next generation into the sport. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan made a multi-year commitment to sponsor the program which introduces urban children to opportunities available in the industry. The program offers experiential learning programs to students from under-represented communities using go-kart driving. It has an academy of courses that uses performance driving as a tool for life skill development, the application

of STEM concepts, interactions with INDYCAR personnel and racing teams, along with exposure to career options in racing.

The weekend before the Grand Prix, GEA participants Riya Bagri and Je’Nia Mills joined about 20 Detroit kids to experience a hands-on class in STEM inside the paddock and on the track.

Bagri, a 13-year-old 8th grader at West Bloomfield Middle School, says “It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” adding that the rally race was fun and exciting, but the education beforehand will stick with her for some time. “They were super detailed in teaching us about racing, from the cars to the flags. I feel like I totally know about racing now.”

Mills, also 13 and in 8th grade, agreed. “We learned all about the eight to 10 different types of flags, how to wear and carry the suits, helmets and gloves, and where to place your hands when driving.” Learning about the apex in driving—the clipping point on the inside portion of a corner that a vehicle passes closest to—was also impressive to Mills and will lead to her being a better driver in day-to-day life. “You learn when to slow down and at what point is the safest to turn.”

Two additional GEA participants had an opportunity to continue the NXG program on September 11-12 when they participate in a Nexgeneracers class at TCF Center in Detroit.

ESD created the GEA to improve academic achievement and increase the interest in engineering among girls. ESD’s goal is to decrease the gender gap in engineering professions by helping girls to excel at STEM and eventually pursue engineering careers. Each year, ESD selects a new group of approximately 30 middle school girls from applications for the summer and academic year program. Those girls will continue with their cohort through high school and beyond to higher education and a career. Currently, five cohorts are active: three middle-school groups and two high-school groups.

The program provides math and science enrichment, engineering and computer science concepts, English/language arts comprehension, hands-on project-based STEM activities, mentoring, virtual field trips to industry, and engineering career exploration.

After an intensive month-long summer program, students meet two Saturdays per month for threehour sessions during the academic year to learn about various engineering disciplines and careers.

To learn more about the ESD Girls in Engineering Academy, please visit esd.org or email Gerald Thompkins at gthompkins@esd.org.

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Participants in this year’s Girls in Engineering Academy program gathered on September 11 and 18 for a special closing ceremony to celebrate their achievement. The programs featured special speakers, such as ESD Fellow Frenae F. Smith, FESD, of DTE Energy; and Oakland University Dean Louay M. Chamra, PhD. ESD Executive Director Robert Magee welcomed the girls, and lunch was provided in an outdoor setting.

All students received a certificate. From left: Dr. Louay Chamra, the dean of Oakland University’s School of Engineering; high schooler Brooklynn Harris; guest speaker Frenae Smith; GEA program manager Dr. Gerald Thompkins; and GEA Coordinator Alexandra Lofton.

The 2020 Middle-School Cohort The 2021 Middle-School Cohort, our first-year students. The Girls in Engineering Program begins the summer after girls finish fifth grade. These rising sixth graders spent one month this summer studying math, English, science and engineering.

The 2019 Middle-School Cohort