The Jim Overholt Autonomous Rover Project is featured at Full Throttle to expose students to the design and programming of onboard logic (Python, C, C++), interfacing sensors, servos, and motors using both analog and digital general purpose input/output pins, as well as some basic electrical and computer engineering principles. These RC vehicles are then placed on a racetrack, and students race in either a drag race event or an obstacle course event for school pride and a trophy they keep for the year. Students learn how to use low-cost microcontroller boards and single-board computers as on-board computers to control RC cars and trucks. Throughout their academic semester, students focus on applying skills, such as physics (in racing), graphic design, and marketing, to design, develop and race their own RC car. Participating teachers and students utilize a series of project-based STEM learning materials that are developed at the GRILL and posted to its web site. The activities scheduled at Eldora and WPAFB are the culmination of semester-long capstone projects for about 120 students from surrounding areas.

“So when schools around Dayton started asking, ‘Why not here?’ we said, ‘Sure, let’s go ahead and kick it off.”įull Throttle STEM is conducted in collaboration between the AFRL STEM Outreach Office, the Dayton STEM Education Support Center, and the 711 HPW. Kyle Bucklew, warfighter training program manager, 711th Human Performance Wing, part of AFRL.Įldora Speedway was originally chosen to encourage interest at rural schools where students often don’t have access to STEM resources. Expansion south resulted from feedback and success of the previous events in Rossburg, according to 1st Lt. The GRILL’s inaugural Full Throttle at the museum follows seven previous events at Eldora, the last in 2019 before pandemic restrictions paused the event. The goal of Full Throttle is to spark regional student interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Small aerial drone races and demonstrations are also scheduled. The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Gaming Research Integration for Learning Lab ( GRILL) is scheduled to host Full Throttle STEM events May 10 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, and May 12 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.īoth event schedules feature local STEM students racing radio-controlled vehicles and competing with autonomous vehicles they designed. WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL).

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