SAN FERNANDO : Car Race Adds Zip to Math, Science Lesson

The countdown is reminiscent of a space shuttle launch as San Fernando Middle School exploring technology teacher David B. Nagel intones over the portable loudspeaker system “five, four, three, two, one, ignition!”

Then, two seven-inch pine-wood racers, solid rocket fuel pellets ablaze, race down a 75-foot dual-lane raceway in two seconds. It is race day in Nagel’s specialized science lab.

In a program that in 16 years has gone from gravity racing (such as putting race cars on a slanted board) to computerized rocket-fuel ignition, Nagel has been able to hold the interest and imagination of his students.

The cars are no longer blocks of wood with wheels stuck on them. Many are designed in the shape of drag racing’s “funny cars” and “rail cars,” with simulated wide rear-wheel “slicks” and tiny spoked front wheels.

In the rear of each car is a small hole where the solid rocket cartridge is placed. Attached to the rocket are two wires that are the electrical ignition contacts.

When these are clipped to the computerized firing mechanism, they can be triggered so that both racers are set off at the same time.

Nagel said that each student spends about four to five weeks designing, building and testing his or her car in a wind tunnel in his classroom. “Here, they learn the basics of aerodynamics and physics,” said Nagel.

Nearly 130 racers were entered in this year’s race day, down from almost 300 last year.

“The earthquake really set a lot of kids back in their completion schedule,” Nagel said.

Cars are weighed before the race and are paired according to their weight.

Nagel said that race day is a collaboration of the technology, math and science programs. The classes complete work sheets using the results of each race to calculate speed in miles per hour, make computations and graph their results.

Trophies for winners of the races will be awarded later this week, including best design, top speed and one for overall performance.