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STEM
Teaching Today Wisconsin | Winter/Spring 2026 Page 17

Grant Extends STEAM Learning at Lombardi

Green Bay Area Public School District at the same time. In addition, the class can par-
Lombardi Middle School’s Technology ticipate in extension projects with the finishing
and Engineer Teaching Department held its times of the cars, such as finding the class
annual CO2 car races on December 19, 2025, average for time, and reflecting upon why
but this year, thanks to a grant from the Green certain cars fared better than others.
Bay Area Public Schools Education Founda- In addition to the starter and timer, the In their design, students needed to think The races are in honor of Clint Griffith,
tion, the races had an added boost. grant funding provided the program with addi- about aerodynamics and weight to make a Lombardi technology teacher who passed
The Education Foundation funded a new tional track to make the races more realistic, the fastest car possible. Once the car was away. The track for the races is named the
electric starter and timer in a recent grant and it allowed it to purchase five high-quality designed, students cut their cars out of a block “Clint Griffith Memorial Raceway at Lom-
cycle. At the starting line, lights signify a sanders, so the students can finish sanding of wood. After sanding and painting them, a bardi International Speedway.”
countdown and an automated system propels their cars with newer equipment. tournament-style race is held to determine the
the CO2 cars. And at the end of the race, the Lombardi’s Pathway to Engineering class champion.
timing of the cars flashes on the display. classes, both advanced and regular, used a Students use so many different com-
This allows the class to accurately see design process to make CO2 dragsters. They ponents of learning in this project including
who designed and made the faster car, and the learn and use the CAD program Onshape to science, math, art, engineering and construc- www.gbaps.org
automatic starter ensures both dragsters start design their cars. tion.