Success StoryMath in Tractor Pulling



Math in Tractor Pulling

Author: Timothy Stombaugh

Planning Unit: Biosystems & Agr Engineering

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

Outcome: Initial Outcome

It always challenging to find ways to engage youth in STEM related activities.  Curriculum is being developed for a youth project involving Remote Control Tractor Pulling.   Students engage in the excitement of a pulling competition while learning math and basic engineering concepts including power, torque and speed; energy storage and power to weight ratio; vehicle balance; friction and traction; tractor stability and safety.   The basic vehicle chassis and components have been refined to provide a reliable yet inexpensive learning platform.   A workshop was offered at 4-H Teen Conference and a Women in Engineering workshop to test the new curriculum.  The teens were very engaged over 6 hours of activity and articulated an appreciation for the math involved in vehicle design and operation.