The River City Soap Box Derby brings together students, parents, and community volunteers to study, build, and race gravity (motorless) soap box cars. The derby gives our participants opportunities to strengthen individual qualities, work as a team, and build stronger bonds with their families. In addition, they get hands-on experience with the real-life application of science, technology, engineering, arts and math in their derby car. The children’s excitement gives us a peek of what our future holds.
The River City Race Program kicked off Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Soap Box Derby Racing is Coming Soon
Put Future Leaders in the Driver’s Seat. Literally.
Looking for a bold, hands-on way to fuel your future leader’s confidence, curiosity, and creativity?
Welcome to the River City Race Program (RCRP)—where future leaders don’t just learn STEAM…they drive it!
Through our licensed partnership with the legendary Soap Box Derby®, we’re bringing 80+ years of innovation and fun to the next generation of builders, dreamers, and changemakers.
What’s the Drive?
- Build real mini or full-sized gravity-powered cars—solo or as a team
- Learn the mechanics behind motion, speed, and structure
- Collaborate, compete, and problem-solve with peers
- Discover your inner engineer (and maybe a future career!)
- Culminate your experience at the River City Gravity Race🔥
Where design meets downhill and every second counts
Race Day is More Than a Moment—It’s a Movement.
Expect:
- Head-to-head races for speed and glory
- Food, music, and family-friendly fun
- Awards, trophies, and bragging rights
- A community coming together to lift young leaders higher
This is More Than a Race—It’s a Launchpad.
Inclusive. Accessible. Exciting.
No prior experience needed—just imagination, energy, and a little elbow grease. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or sponsor, the River City Race Program is where the wheels of the future get turning.
Ready to Roll?
Spots fill fast—grab your gear and let’s race!
Soap Box Derby Mini Car Activity
The Soap Box Derby Mini Car activity is the big project in a fun-sized package! This project is for 2nd thru 8th grade future leaders and uses a 1/13-scale gravity car that allows an introduction to the STEAM concepts found in the build of the larger project car. The mini-car activity is facilitated as an individual or group project. Future racers will be engaged in the following content areas:
Arts: visual & fine art, creativity, expression, analyzing, interpretation, application, connecting, production.
Engineering: design process, define problem, assess needs, develop solutions, create a prototype, test, refine, evaluate, communicate.
Mathematics: measurement (standards & metric), basic math concepts, decimals, fractions, geometry, graphing, slope, problem solving, time, weight.
Physical Science: scientific inquiry, forces & motion, weight & mass, friction, speed, simple machine, energy.
Technology: research, critical thinking, innovation, problem solving, collaboration, communication.
Individuals and teams will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the STEAM Invitational during the River City Gravity Race (April 2024).
River City STEAM Invitational
The River City STEAM Invitational is hosted by Let’s Grow STEAM and uses the Mini Car activity to facilitate a city-wide competition for future leader’s 2nd thru 8th grades. Future leaders will work individually or in teams of 3 to construct and test a Mini Car on a track with timer as part of the activity. Future leaders will record and analyze data for their Mini Car test runs to figure out a competitive weight set-up for the Mini Car race. The River City STEAM Invitational provides future leaders with three exciting STEAM competitions using the gravity-driven Mini Car and STEAM activities: 1). Championship Mini Car Race, 2). Mini Car Shell Design, 3). Presentation Challenge (press release activity).
4-Day Summer Camps | Soap Box Derby Mini Car Activity
Sign up your future leader for our 4-day summer camp experience which introduces the exciting sport of gravity racing while strengthening STEAM skills.
Ages: Incoming 4th -8th grades ONLY
Location: LGSx Headquarters – 1830 Shepherd Drive, Columbus, Georgia 31906
Cost: Individual – $225.00 | Team of 3 – $650
Camp includes Soap box derby mini car kit, activity booklet, registration fee for STEAM Invitational, & healthy snacks
Camp schedule: 9:00am -1:00pm Monday -Thursday
- July 10 – July 13
- July 17 – July 20
- July 24 – July 27
For more information on our mini car activities CLICK HERE
To Register for our mini car activities CLICK HERE
Exposure is a powerful tool! The Soap Box Derby Community Car is a wonderful activity for classrooms, schools and youth-focused community organizations. The Soap Box Derby activity is a team sport that offers future leaders grades 4th – 8th a unique introduction into designing, building and racing their own gravity cars. Future leaders work together using their creativity, problem-solving skills, and mechanical know-how to construct their cars from scratch. The gravity cars are then put to the test as they race down a track competing for the fastest time.
This activity is a fantastic way to spark future leaders’ interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) subjects. It promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, as well as creativity and innovation. Future leaders learn about aerodynamics, physics, mechanics and more as they design and build their cars, and they get to see the results of their hard work when they race their projects down the track.
In addition to the STEAM education infused into this activity, future leaders learn important lessons such as goal setting, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Teams will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the River City Gravity Race (April 2024) at Lakebottom Park in Columbus, GA. Teams will compete against other local schools and youth-focused organizations for a chance to be crowned the 2024 River City Educational Race Champion. Top prizes include cash donations to top placement schools or organizations for STEAM initiatives, team trophies and school banners. This is an activity your future leader will remember for a lifetime!
For more information on how to get your classroom, school or youth-focused organization involved CLICK HERE
To register your classroom, school or youth-focused organization CLICK HERE
Ready, Set, Grow! This individualized learning activity is by invitation only and for future leaders 4th thru 12th grades who are looking to take the soap box derby race challenge to the next level.
Future leaders are assigned a club car and work independently with parents, volunteers or program team members at our headquarters to build a project car that will take them to victory. This activity promotes and strengthens creativity, ingenuity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Future leaders will also be introduced to concepts in engineering, physics, mechanics and aerodynamics as they design and build their project cars, putting the knowledge they gain into practice in a tangible and exciting way.
By participating in the Soap Box Derby Club Car activity, future leaders have the opportunity to take ownership of their learning experience and develop skills that will benefit them in all areas of their lives. They are empowered to think creatively and problem-solve on their own, building confidence and independence as they work towards their goal of being crowned the River City Gravity Race Champions at the 6th Annual River City Gravity Race (April 2024). The 1st place winner of the Local Gravity Race will move forward to represent Columbus, Georgia at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Oh. All racer expenses related to participation at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron (July 2024) are covered by Let’s Grow STEAMx and community sponsors.
Individual racers will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the at the River City Gravity Race (April 2024) for a chance to be crowned the 2024 River City Soap Box Derby Champion!
Application is open now and runs through October 30th!
For more information about our Soap Box Derby Club Car Activity CLICK HERE
To register for the Soap Box Derby Club Car Activity CLICK HERE
Soap Box Derby Mini Car Activity
Welcome to the big project in a fun-sized package—where future leaders in 2nd through 8th grade tap into their inner engineers, artists, and innovators to build their very own 1/13-scale gravity-powered cars.
It’s more than just assembling a cool ride.
It’s a crash course in design thinking, STEAM exploration, and competitive creativity—delivered in a way that’s hands-on, high-energy, and unforgettable.
Whether flying solo or working as a team, students dive into:
Arts – Think color, design, expression, and storytelling. Their car? Their canvas.
Engineering – From sketch to prototype to race-ready machine—every idea matters.
Math – Slope. Speed. Sizing. Fractions. Real-world problem solving in action.
Physical Science – Friction. Force. Gravity. They feel it, test it, and make it work for them.
Technology – Research. Analyze. Innovate. Present. This is tech that moves.
And the finish line? It’s just the beginning.
Hosted by Let’s Grow STEAMx, the River City STEAM Invitational is where our Mini Car stars shine. Open to 2nd–8th grade students, this citywide competition turns the classroom into a race track and the builders into bold thinkers.
Students will:
- Test, race, and optimize their gravity car setup
- Record data, analyze outcomes, and build toward performance
- Compete in three adrenaline-pumping challenges:
Championship Mini Car Race
Shell Design Showdown
Presentation Challenge – Press Release Edition
It’s not just about building fast—it’s about building smart, expressive, and confidently.
Ready to take it up a notch? Our 4-day summer camp is the ultimate way to race into STEAM, build leadership skills, and connect with fellow future trailblazers.
Who: Incoming 4th–8th Graders
Where: LGSx Headquarters | 1830 Shepherd Dr., Columbus, GA
When:
- Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Mon–Thurs)
- Cost:
- Individual – $225
- Team of 3 – $650
Camp Includes:
- Official Mini Car Kit
- STEAM Activity Booklet
- STEAM Invitational Registration
- Healthy Snacks + Nonstop Vibes
🚨 Spots are limited. The energy is high.
Register Now and Let’s Build Something Brilliant. – NEED LINK FOR THIS
The Soap Box Derby Club Car Challenge
This isn’t for everyone.
This is for the bold. The curious. The ones ready to level up.
By invitation only, this high-impact experience is designed for future leaders in 4th–12th grade who want to take their racing skills—and their STEAM mindset—to the next level.
Here, future leaders don’t just race—they build the legacy.
The Mission: Build It. Be It. Race It.
Each future leader is paired with a club car and teamed up with parents, mentors, volunteers, or LGSx crew to build a full-sized project car from the ground up. Every bolt tightened. Every angle measured. Every piece, a lesson.
Along the way, they’ll explore:
- Engineering + Mechanics – It’s not just how it looks, it’s how it moves
- Aerodynamics + Physics – Speed, resistance, gravity… it all matters
- Problem Solving + Creativity – Think fast. Tweak smarter. Trust your build.
- Real Ownership – No hand-holding here. This is your race, your journey.
When race day hits, it’s time to shine.
Join us for the 5th Annual Gravity Race on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 9am at Lakebottom Park.
Future leaders will compete for the title of River City Gravity Race Champion.
And the stakes? Oh, they’re real…
The 1st Place Winner will represent Columbus, GA at the legendary
International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio – July 2025
All travel and race expenses covered by Let’s Grow STEAMx and our amazing community sponsors.
This is more than speed—it’s self-confidence, skill, and spotlight.
It’s the moment where everything they built—literally and mentally—crosses the finish line.
This is where future leaders stretch their potential and step into independence.
They’re not just learning concepts—they’re applying them in real life, gaining skills that stick far beyond the track. Leadership. Grit. Confidence. Vision.
This is how winners are made. And it all starts with one build.
👉 Want in? Apply for Fall 2025 Club Car Invitations. [Link to Application] -Ryan share with me for review the previous application we used for the Club Car. I believe the application will still work for this program. – DON’T HAVE A FORM NAMED THIS, NEED LINK
Race Day: April 2025 – The 5th Annual River City Gravity Race
When race day hits, it’s time to shine.
Join us for the 5th Annual Gravity Race on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 9am at Lakebottom Park.
Future leaders will compete for the title of River City Gravity Race Champion.
And the stakes? Oh, they’re real…
The 1st Place Winner will represent Columbus, GA at the legendary
International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio – July 2025
Try Gravity Racing
We’re excited to invite you to the 5th Annual River City Gravity Race, happening Saturday, April 26th—a day full of energy, creativity, and community!
In addition to cheering on eight local champions competing for bragging rights and a chance to represent our community at the International Soap Box Derby, this year’s event will also feature Try Gravity Racing—a fun, hands-on youth activity and fundraiser supporting Let’s Grow STEAMx programs.
Try Gravity Racing is open to participants at least 7 years old and gives participants the chance to safely ride a real, gravity-powered soap box-style car down the racetrack. It’s perfect for first-time racers and curious future engineers alike!
Try Gravity Racing is a hands-on, gravity-powered car experience. Participants get a chance to safely ride in a real soap box-style car down a designated track during the River City Gravity Race event.
Participants must be at least 7 years old to register. No racing experience needed—just enthusiasm and a willingness to try something new!
Yes, a small registration fee helps support our youth STEAM programs. It includes:
1 gravity car ride
A race helmet (or bring your own)
Race bib with number
A race e-photo
Pre-registration is encouraged! You can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or using this link:
👉 https://letsgrowsteam.org/river-city-fun-race-registration/
Closed-toe shoes are required. We also recommend comfortable clothing such as compression pants or leggings. Helmets will be provided, but participants may bring their own.
Yes—safety is our top priority. All runs are supervised, and the cars are designed with proper braking systems. A safety briefing is given before each ride.
Absolutely! We encourage families to come out, cheer from the sidelines, and enjoy the full River City Gravity Race experience.
Gravity cars can reach speeds of up to 30 mph, but the cars and track are carefully designed with safety in mind.
The Mission
Build It. Be It. Race It.
Each future leader is paired with a club car and teamed up with parents, mentors, volunteers, or LGSx crew to build a full-sized project car from the ground up. Every bolt tightened. Every angle measured. Every piece, a lesson.
Along the way, they’ll explore:
- Engineering + Mechanics – It’s not just how it looks, it’s how it moves
- Aerodynamics + Physics – Speed, resistance, gravity… it all matters
- Problem Solving + Creativity – Think fast. Tweak smarter. Trust your build.
- Real Ownership – No hand-holding here. This is your race, your journey.
All travel and race expenses covered by Let’s Grow STEAMx and our amazing community sponsors.
This is more than speed—it’s self-confidence, skill, and spotlight.
It’s the moment where everything they built—literally and mentally—crosses the finish line.
For Parents, Educators & Mentors:
This is where future leaders stretch their potential and step into independence. They’re not just learning concepts—they’re applying them in real life, gaining skills that stick far beyond the track. Leadership. Grit. Confidence. Vision.
This is how winners are made. And it all starts with one build.
Ready, Set… Grow Like a Champion.
The Soap Box Derby Club Car Challenge
This isn’t for everyone.
This is for the bold. The curious. The ones ready to level up.
By invitation only, this high-impact experience is designed for future leaders in 4th–12th grade who want to take their racing skills—and their STEAM mindset—to the next level.
Here, future leaders don’t just race—they build the legacy.
Want in? Apply for Fall 2025 Club Car Invitations.
Exposure is a powerful tool! The Soap Box Derby Community Car is a wonderful activity for classrooms, schools and youth-focused community organizations. The Soap Box Derby activity is a team sport that offers future leaders grades 4th – 8th a unique introduction into designing, building and racing their own gravity cars. Future leaders work together using their creativity, problem-solving skills, and mechanical know-how to construct their cars from scratch. The gravity cars are then put to the test as they race down a track competing for the fastest time.
This activity is a fantastic way to spark future leaders’ interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) subjects. It promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, as well as creativity and innovation. Future leaders learn about aerodynamics, physics, mechanics and more as they design and build their cars, and they get to see the results of their hard work when they race their projects down the track.
In addition to the STEAM education infused into this activity, future leaders learn important lessons such as goal setting, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Teams will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the River City Gravity Race (April 2025) at Lakebottom Park in Columbus, GA. Teams will compete against other local schools and youth-focused organizations for a chance to be crowned the 2024 River City Educational Race Champion. Top prizes include cash donations to top placement schools or organizations for STEAM initiatives, team trophies and school banners. This is an activity your future leader will remember for a lifetime!
For more information on how to get your classroom, school or youth-focused organization involved CLICK HERE
To register your classroom, school or youth-focused organization CLICK HERE
Ready, Set, Grow! This individualized learning activity is by invitation only and for future leaders 4th thru 12th grades who are looking to take the soap box derby race challenge to the next level.
Future leaders are assigned a club car and work independently with parents, volunteers or program team members at our headquarters to build a project car that will take them to victory. This activity promotes and strengthens creativity, ingenuity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Future leaders will also be introduced to concepts in engineering, physics, mechanics and aerodynamics as they design and build their project cars, putting the knowledge they gain into practice in a tangible and exciting way.
By participating in the Soap Box Derby Club Car activity, future leaders have the opportunity to take ownership of their learning experience and develop skills that will benefit them in all areas of their lives. They are empowered to think creatively and problem-solve on their own, building confidence and independence as they work towards their goal of being crowned the River City Gravity Race Champions at the 6th Annual River City Gravity Race (April 2025). The 1st place winner of the Local Gravity Race will move forward to represent Columbus, Georgia at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Oh. All racer expenses related to participation at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron (July 2025) are covered by Let’s Grow STEAMx and community sponsors.
Individual racers will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the at the River City Gravity Race (April 2025) for a chance to be crowned the 2024 River City Soap Box Derby Champion!
Application is open now and runs through October 30th!
For more information about our Soap Box Derby Club Car Activity CLICK HERE
To register for the Soap Box Derby Club Car Activity CLICK HERE
During our program, participants are assigned a race car and mentored by parents and community volunteers. They reverse engineer, rebuild, and learn the history, rules, and regulations of gravity (motorless) racing. Participants also engage in monthly STEAM-based activities, such as coding, engineering, and digital multimedia. These “STEAM Saturdays” are facilitated by scientists, engineers, and technology professionals.
The River City Race Program Puts Future Leaders in the Driver's Seat!
Are you looking to empower your future leader while also engaging them in a fun and educational STEAM-powered activities? Then look no further than the River City Race Program!
At the River City Race Program, we believe that hands-on learning experiences are essential in fostering the next generation of leaders. Our program is an affiliate and licensed through the Soap Box Derby organization which has over 80 years of success in STEAM engagement and racing.
Our program offers 3 activities designed for future leaders 2nd-12th grades and provides a unique opportunity to build a mini or full-sized soap box derby car (gravity car) as an individualized or team project. All activities offer a fun and engaging way for future leaders to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics while promoting teamwork and healthy competition. All activities culminate in the River City Gravity Races (April 2024), a thrilling event that brings together future leaders, parents, and community volunteers to study, build, and race soap box cars. The project cars are raced down a track, competing for the fastest time and the chance to be crowned River City Gravity Race Champions!
The River City Race Program is open to all designated and grade appropriate future leaders, regardless of their skill level or background. It is designed to be inclusive and accessible and offers an opportunity for future leaders to develop their interest and talents in a supportive environment. It’s also a great way to make new friends and connect with other future leaders who share a passion for STEAM-driven activities.
So. what are you waiting for? Whether you’re a parent looking for a fun and educational activity for your child, an educator seeking to promote STEAM education, or a sponsor looking to support your community, the River City Race Program is the perfect opportunity for you. Get your future leader involved in the River City Race Program today! Check out our activities below!
At the River City Race Program, we believe that hands-on learning experiences like building and racing gravity cars are essential in fostering the next generation of leaders. Our program offers a fun and engaging way for future leaders to explore science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics while promoting teamwork and healthy competition. Both activities culminate in the River City Gravity Races (April 2024), a thrilling event that brings together future leaders, parents, and community volunteers to study, build, and race gravity (motorless) soap box cars.
So why wait? Sign-up your school or community organization today and let your future leaders become the STEAM leaders of tomorrow!
River City Race Mini Car Program | STEAM Invitational (2 – 8 grade)
- Mini car kit and toolbox (individualized or team activity)
- Instruction manuals and curriculum booklets for students & teachers
- Instructional support and professional development opportunities available (optional)
- 1 qualifier race hosted on site (30′ track with timer included)
- Loads of fun and an experience future leaders and coaches will remember for a lifetime!
- Activity recommended for in-school & after school programs
For more information CLICK HERE
River City Race Community Car Program (4 – 8 grade)
- Team activity
- Gravity car kit, wheels, parts, and tools (customized car shell is optional)
- Instructional manuals/videos and curriculum booklets for students & teachers
- Instructional support and professional development opportunities available (optional)
- Choice of 1 add-on STEAM activity (Mini Car or Engineering)
- 4 practice races (minimum of 1 practice race attendance required)
- Race day fees included
- Team shirts
- Loads of fun and an experience future leaders and coaches will remember for a lifetime!
- Activity recommended for in-school & after school programs
For more information CLICK HERE
River City Race Club Car Program (4 – 12 grade by invitation only)
- Activity is an intense individualized and customized 10-week program
- Program is a 10-week program hosted at the Let’s Grow STEAMx headquarters
- Participant must complete the community car or educational program as a pre-requisite
For more information CLICK HERE
The Soap Box Derby Mini Car activity is the big project in a fun-sized package! This project is for 2nd thru 8th grade future leaders and uses a 1/13-scale gravity car that allows an introduction to the STEAM concepts found in the build of the larger project car. The mini-car activity is facilitated as an individual or group project. Future racers will be engaged in the following content areas:
Arts: visual & fine art, creativity, expression, analyzing, interpretation, application, connecting, production.
Engineering: design process, define problem, assess needs, develop solutions, create a prototype, test, refine, evaluate, communicate.
Mathematics: measurement (standards & metric), basic math concepts, decimals, fractions, geometry, graphing, slope, problem solving, time, weight.
Physical Science: scientific inquiry, forces & motion, weight & mass, friction, speed, simple machine, energy.
Technology: research, critical thinking, innovation, problem solving, collaboration, communication.
Individuals and teams will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the STEAM Invitational during the River City Gravity Race (April 2024).
River City STEAM Invitational | Community organizations and Local Schools
The River City STEAM Invitational is hosted by Let’s Grow STEAM and uses the Mini Car activity to facilitate a city-wide competition for future leader’s 2nd-8th grades. Future leaders will work individually or in teams of 3 to construct and test a Mini Car on a track with timer as part of the activity. Future leaders will record and analyze data for their Mini Car test runs to figure out a competitive weight set-up for the Mini Car race. The River City STEAM Invitational provides future leaders with three exciting STEAM competitions using the gravity-driven Mini Car and STEAM activities: 1). Championship Mini Car Race, 2). Mini Car Shell Design, 3). Presentation Challenge (press release activity).
- Mini car kit and toolbox (individualized or team activity)
- Instruction manuals and curriculum booklets for students & teachers
- Instructional support and professional development opportunities available (optional)
- 1 qualifier race hosted on site (30′ track with timer included)
- Loads of fun and an experience future leaders and coaches will remember for a lifetime!
- Activity recommended for in-school & after school programs
For more information CLICK HERE
To Register
Ages: Incoming 4th -8th grades ONLY
Location: LGSx Headquarters – 1830 Shepherd Drive, Columbus, Georgia 31906
Cost: $225.00
Camp includes Soap box derby mini car kit, registration fee for STEAM Invitational & healthy snacks
Camp schedule: 9:00am -1:00pm Monday -Thursday
- July 10 – July 13
- July 17 – July 20
- July 24 – July 27
Exposure is a powerful tool. The Soap Box Derby Community Car activity is a team sport that offers future leaders grades 4th – 8th a unique introduction into designing, building and racing their own gravity cars. Future leaders work together using their creativity, problem-solving skills, and mechanical know-how to construct their cars from scratch. The gravity cars are then put to the test as they race down a track competing for the fastest time.
This activity is a fantastic way to get future leaders excited about science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) subjects. It promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, as well as creativity and innovation. Future leaders learn about aerodynamics, physics, mechanics and more as they design and build their cars, and they get to see the results of their hard work when they race their projects down the track.
In addition to the STEAM education infused into this activity, future leaders learn important lessons such as goal setting, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Teams will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the River City Gravity Race (April 2024). This is an activity your future leader will remember for a lifetime.
- Team activity
- Gravity car kit, wheels, parts, and tools (customized car shell is optional)
- Instructional manuals/videos and curriculum booklets for students & teachers
- Instructional support and professional development opportunities available (optional)
- Choice of 1 add-on STEAM activity (Mini Car or Engineering)
- 4 practice races (minimum of 1 practice race attendance required)
- Race day fees included
- Team shirts
- Loads of fun and an experience future leaders and coaches will remember for a lifetime!
- Activity recommended for in-school & after school programs
For more information CLICK HERE
To Register
Ready, Set, Grow! This individualized learning activity is by invitation only and for future leaders 4th -12th grades who are looking to take the soap box derby race challenge to the next level.
Future leaders are assigned a club car and work independently with parents, volunteers or program team members at our headquarters to build a project car that will take them to victory. This activity promotes and strengthens creativity, ingenuity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Future leaders will also be introduced to concepts in engineering, physics, mechanics and aerodynamics as they design and build their project cars, putting the knowledge they gain into practice in a tangible and exciting way.
By participating in the Soap Box Derby Club Car activity, future leaders have the opportunity to take ownership of their learning experience and develop skills that will benefit them in all areas of their lives. They are empowered to think creatively and problem-solve on their own, building confidence and independence as they work towards their goal of being crowned the River City Gravity Race Champions and moving forward to represent Columbus, Georgia at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Oh. All racer expenses related to participation at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron (July 2024) are covered by Let’s Grow STEAMx and community sponsors.
Individual racers will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the at the River City Gravity Race (April 2024).
Application is open now and runs through October 30th!
- Activity is an intense individualized and customized 10-week program
- Program is a 10-week program hosted at the Let’s Grow STEAMx headquarters
- Participant must complete the community car or educational program as a pre-requisite
For more information CLICK HERE
To apply CLICK HERE
Soap Box Derby Mini Car Activity
The Soap Box Derby Mini Car activity is the big project in a fun-sized package! This project is for 2nd thru 8th grade future leaders and uses a 1/13-scale gravity car that allows an introduction to the STEAM concepts found in the build of the larger project car. The mini-car activity is facilitated as an individual or group project. Future racers will be engaged in the following content areas:
Arts: visual & fine art, creativity, expression, analyzing, interpretation, application, connecting, production.
Engineering: design process, define problem, assess needs, develop solutions, create a prototype, test, refine, evaluate, communicate.
Mathematics: measurement (standards & metric), basic math concepts, decimals, fractions, geometry, graphing, slope, problem solving, time, weight.
Physical Science: scientific inquiry, forces & motion, weight & mass, friction, speed, simple machine, energy.
Technology: research, critical thinking, innovation, problem solving, collaboration, communication.
Individuals and teams will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the STEAM Invitational during the River City Gravity Race (April 2024).
River City STEAM Invitational
The River City STEAM Invitational is hosted by Let’s Grow STEAM and uses the Mini Car activity to facilitate a city-wide competition for future leader’s 2nd thru 8th grades. Future leaders will work individually or in teams of 3 to construct and test a Mini Car on a track with timer as part of the activity. Future leaders will record and analyze data for their Mini Car test runs to figure out a competitive weight set-up for the Mini Car race. The River City STEAM Invitational provides future leaders with three exciting STEAM competitions using the gravity-driven Mini Car and STEAM activities: 1). Championship Mini Car Race, 2). Mini Car Shell Design, 3). Presentation Challenge (press release activity).
4-Day Summer Camps | Soap Box Derby Mini Car Activity
Sign up your future leader for our 4-day summer camp experience which introduces the exciting sport of gravity racing while strengthening STEAM skills.
Ages: Incoming 4th -8th grades ONLY
Location: LGSx Headquarters – 1830 Shepherd Drive, Columbus, Georgia 31906
Cost: Individual – $225.00 | Team of 3 – $650
Camp includes Soap box derby mini car kit, activity booklet, registration fee for STEAM Invitational, & healthy snacks
Camp schedule: 9:00am -1:00pm Monday -Thursday
- July 10 – July 13
- July 17 – July 20
- July 24 – July 27
For more information on our mini car activities CLICK HERE
To Register for our mini car activities CLICK HERE
Exposure is a powerful tool! The Soap Box Derby Community Car is a wonderful activity for classrooms, schools and youth-focused community organizations. The Soap Box Derby activity is a team sport that offers future leaders grades 4th – 8th a unique introduction into designing, building and racing their own gravity cars. Future leaders work together using their creativity, problem-solving skills, and mechanical know-how to construct their cars from scratch. The gravity cars are then put to the test as they race down a track competing for the fastest time.
This activity is a fantastic way to spark future leaders’ interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) subjects. It promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, as well as creativity and innovation. Future leaders learn about aerodynamics, physics, mechanics and more as they design and build their cars, and they get to see the results of their hard work when they race their projects down the track.
In addition to the STEAM education infused into this activity, future leaders learn important lessons such as goal setting, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Teams will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the River City Gravity Race (April 2024) at Lakebottom Park in Columbus, GA. Teams will compete against other local schools and youth-focused organizations for a chance to be crowned the 2024 River City Educational Race Champion. Top prizes include cash donations to top placement schools or organizations for STEAM initiatives, team trophies and school banners. This is an activity your future leader will remember for a lifetime!
For more information on how to get your classroom, school or youth-focused organization involved CLICK HERE
To register your classroom, school or youth-focused organization CLICK HERE
Ready, Set, Grow! This individualized learning activity is by invitation only and for future leaders 4th thru 12th grades who are looking to take the soap box derby race challenge to the next level.
Future leaders are assigned a club car and work independently with parents, volunteers or program team members at our headquarters to build a project car that will take them to victory. This activity promotes and strengthens creativity, ingenuity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Future leaders will also be introduced to concepts in engineering, physics, mechanics and aerodynamics as they design and build their project cars, putting the knowledge they gain into practice in a tangible and exciting way.
By participating in the Soap Box Derby Club Car activity, future leaders have the opportunity to take ownership of their learning experience and develop skills that will benefit them in all areas of their lives. They are empowered to think creatively and problem-solve on their own, building confidence and independence as they work towards their goal of being crowned the River City Gravity Race Champions at the 6th Annual River City Gravity Race (April 2024). The 1st place winner of the Local Gravity Race will move forward to represent Columbus, Georgia at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron, Oh. All racer expenses related to participation at the International Soap Box Derby in Akron (July 2024) are covered by Let’s Grow STEAMx and community sponsors.
Individual racers will build, design, test and have an opportunity to race their final project car set-up at the at the River City Gravity Race (April 2024) for a chance to be crowned the 2024 River City Soap Box Derby Champion!
Application is open now and runs through October 30th!
For more information about our Soap Box Derby Club Car Activity CLICK HERE
To register for the Soap Box Derby Club Car Activity CLICK HERE
Participants not only learn to build derby cars, they also develop skills in applying knowledge to real-world challenges, employing the engineering design process, working as a team, and being a leader. All of these efforts culminate in our yearly soap box derby hosted in Midtown Columbus, where our racers compete for educational and local championship titles.
We offer 2 levels of racing under our derby program: Educational and Sanctioned racing. Educational racing exposes racers to the joys and hard work of racing and gets them great experience behind the wheel. Sanctioned racing is a higher level of competitive racing, with the potential to move on to regional, national, and international competition.
Youth can get involved in soap box derby racing in a number of ways:
- In-School Program – program operates in select Muscogee County Schools (South Columbus, Dorothy Heights, Reese Road, Dimon Elementary, and Wesley Heights). Participants in this program are eligible for Educational race category only.
- After School Program – 25-week program, offered at the Let’s Grow STEAMx Headquarters. Participants in this program are eligible for the Educational and Sanctioned race category.
In 2019, the River City Race Program was thrilled to travel to Akron, Ohio, to the International Soap Box Derby Race with the winner of our local championship title, Zyon June! This was an amazing opportunity for Zyon to not only compete against other regional winners but to test his racing skills against peers from all over the world. Thank you to Liberty Utilities for sponsoring our effort to help youth stay on the right track!
