Local Students Race to the Finish Line at the Fab Lab

April 26, 2021 – Sarasota

A fantasy-themed wonderland welcomed 100 local students as they arrived at the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab’s sixth annual Remote Control Custom Car Open (RC Car) on April 17, 2021. The RC Car program is designed to drive brighter futures for local youth through experiential learning. Race day is the culmination of ten weeks of workshops that helped 40 teams of students in kindergarten through 12th grade build technical and life skills by customizing a remote control car.

The event included two thematic racetracks, which students raced along while dodging a life-size dragon, enchanted trees and a moving drawbridge. Participants also competed in a design competition where they showed off the enhancements made to their cars using Faulhaber Fab Lab equipment and tools.

Teams’ scores in the design competition and both track races determine winners. Middle school students Arjan Sandu and Steele Jackson from Team SPEED (Speedy People Engineering Extraordinary Drives) took home the 2021 RC Car Grand Champion title. Each year, the school with the most team registrations wins a $1,000 cash prize. Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences won the award for the second year in a row, narrowly beating out Wilkinson Elementary School. A list of winners in all categories is available at https://suncoastscience.org/rc-car.

Like most Fab Lab programs, RC Car is designed for students, by students. The 2021 RC Car Executive Committee included 12 talented high school students who began planning for the event in August 2020. From selecting the theme to teaching workshops to constructing the racetracks, all aspects of the annual program are managed by the student committee with support from Fab Lab staff. Through this unique model, RC Car participants are empowered to explore new interests and develop life skills like collaboration, creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Simultaneously, the high school student committee builds leadership experience that will prepare them for future pursuits. 

The 2021 RC Car program was made possible thanks to the generous support of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Ringling College of Art + Design Studio & Digital Arts program, Steinwachs Family Foundation, Bill Wagy Productions, Congdon & Company Inc, Forza Wealth Management, Dr. Si McAninch, Iltis Lending Group and Troll Music.