A group of fifth graders raced their colorful pinewood derby cars
at the 13th annual Pinewood Derby at Grand Valley on February 29.
More than 75 students from three classes at Sibley Elementary
School competed with the cars they designed and built with the help of
Grand Valley engineering students.
Grand Valley’s School of Engineering began its partnership with
Sibley Elementary School 13 years ago when Grand Valley helped with a
variety of community service projects at the school. Engineering
professor Shirley Fleischmann and a group of teachers from the
elementary school wanted to create a program that would involve all
fifth graders.
“It’s a very hands-on, educational activity because students design and build the car on their own,” Fleischmann said. “We want students to feel accomplished and proud of their work, and to see what a college environment is like.”
