Since 2018, ASRS has supported Brighton Academy (Formerly Danforth) and Huntington
middle School students at the STEM event, Syracuse Soapbox Derby. ASRS helped
support ten dedicated volunteers oversee the event and assisted more than
30 students with logistics, meals, and tee shirts. This popular program is growing for the
Syracuse City School District middle schools,and students are eager to participate. At ASRS’ first community engagement reception, a former middle school student described the lasting positive impact participation in the Soapbox Derby has had on him. The program encourages students to learn the following: stock and super stock derby cars; the basic mechanics and friction impacts; racing techniques; and teamwork. The program culminated in another enrichment experience for the two Syracuse race winners and a student contingent in
Akron, Ohio.