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Published Wednesday, June 25, 2008 in Education

N.C. school district teams up with Richard Petty

Science teachers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina are working with NASCAR legend Richard Petty to learn how to be better drivers -- and how to teach their students to be more responsible behind the wheel.

"All kids want to drive, so if you can teach them about something they're interested in and teach them math and science at the same time, it's a win-win situation," said Cindy Moss, director of Pre-K math and science instruction for CMS.

Richard Petty Driving Experience and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools partnered to put teachers on the course for a series of exercises that included skid control, braking, crash avoidance and a tailgating simulation. The partnership, based on the theme "Physics of Safe Driving," is designed to teach students to be better drivers and encourage interest in the science and physics of automobiles.

The partnership is unique, said Moss. "I don't think any other school district in the country is putting teachers in cars to learn these driving skills. They'll be able to take their experiences back to their classrooms to bring physics and science concepts to life. The experience could even save a life if a student thinks before doing something dangerous behind the wheel."

"I just think taking this angle with the program and putting a focus on math and science is really great," said seven-time NASCAR Champion Richard Petty. "The teachers are learning how to mix studies with safe driving and make it a fun experience."

Each teacher drove with an instructor in the passenger seat who explained how to react to potentially dangerous situations. The teachers then sped through the course and practiced pulling out of skids, correct braking and making the right decision to avoid a crash.

"We talk about Newton's laws of motion in fifth grade and many of those laws apply when you're driving a car," said Brian Coons, a science teacher at Barringer Academic Center. "This is an experience kids can relate to because they've been in a car before and have felt those forces."

Showing students how science applies to real life can make concepts easier to understand, said McClintock Middle science teacher David Castle. "Whether it's riding a bus and hitting the brakes, or riding a bike and using the hand brakes, you can skid if you are going too fast."

A production company shot video of the on-course lessons and teachers gathered data. The teachers will use the video and data to develop a curriculum unit that will match the North Carolina Standard Course of Study objectives for teaching high school physics and middle school science.

"We can use these lessons to teach principles of speed, velocity and time," said physical science teacher De'Andrea Jackson. "I think this will help the students visualize the concepts we're talking about."

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 16-25. The Richard Petty Safe Driving Program teaches safe driving skills by taking participants through on-course experiences in a controlled environment. RPDE developed the program in partnership with Clemson University's Automotive Safety Research Institute.