AISD Educators Attend Shell’s Grand Prix Science of Racing Workshop

Disponible en:

Three educators from Aldine ISD along with teachers across the Houston area attended the “Science of Racing” professional development training sponsored by Shell on October 4. The workshop coincided with the inaugural Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston held October 4-6. At the Houston Grand Prix, world-class drivers zoom over 180 miles per hour around Reliant Astrodome and Reliant Stadium.

As the only titled motorsports sponsorship in the U.S., Shell showcased innovation and technology for road transport, both on and off the race track. As partners to Shell education efforts, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project and the Texas Regional Collaborative (TRC) recruited area secondary science and math teachers to participate in the “Science of Racing” professional development workshop. Jeralan J. Kannady, science specialist at Eisenhower High School; Bhavna D. Rawal, physics teacher at Victory Early College High School; and Willete F. Trotty-Aubry, science specialist at Davis High School, attended the event from Aldine ISD.

The full day of training began at Two Shell Plaza and continued with interactive exhibits and an opportunity to view qualifying races at Reliant Park that same afternoon. Hands-on materials and activities that educators took back to the classroom highlighted the fuels of auto racing, polymers in auto racing, and the science of motors and generators.

Rawal found the training interesting and useful for the classroom.

“This was a great opportunity to learn about endothermic and exothermic reactions (chemistry), addition and condensation polymers and the science behind Formula 1 cars such as the design of motors and generators,” stated Rawal. “The organizers really made the workshop a fun learning environment.”

Pictured are Aldine ISD educators (l-r) Bhavna Rawal, Jeralan Kannady and Willette Trotty-Aubry at the “Science of Racing” professional development workshop sponsored by Shell.