Racing in the Hood

I'm thinking of maybe breaking out Ayuda's little slot car track for the after school program this year. A few years ago I was directing the program and I spent a bunch of money in the last two weeks of camp having every student build a race car and then racing each day in a two week tournament with points. The idea was to give the kids some hands on experience that relates to science, engineering, and math. Also, the points became a currency to purchase upgraded engines, wheels, etc., so it became an exercise in budgeting and money (or points) management. It was a lot of fun. So this is all that is left - a track missing some pieces and the car that I made during that time. But the kids who were in the program then still ask about it today. So I would like to break it out again, maybe one day a week, and stretch it out over the course of several weeks or the whole school year. Here's the catch. We're missing an important track piece that has to be special ordered from Japan. Shipping time: 3 to 6 months. So we just need a new track. Cost: $200

Here is Jacob on the track we have with my old, crusty car.



Here is what a full track and a good car looks like. Now imagine three kids racing their cars simultaneously. It's fun chaos and the excitement is crazy.



And just in case you think this is some corny thing for kids, just take a look at the toolboxes these kids are using here.