Adrian, MI - This week, middle and high school students from across Lenawee County turned into engineers, pit crew members, and racers as they brought their custom-built RC cars to the track for the Ten80 Racing events at Stubnitz Environmental Education Center. Over two days, teams from Clinton, Hudson, and Sand Creek schools raced vehicles they designed and built themselves, turning classroom learning into high-speed action.
The Ten80 program is all about taking STEM out of the textbook and putting it into students’ hands. Students work together to build their cars from the ground up, figuring out how to make them faster, more efficient, and better equipped to handle twists and turns. They apply lessons in math and science along the way, including topics such as gear ratios, tire friction, and course geometry, to fine-tune their vehicles. What starts as a classroom project transforms into a living, moving example of problem solving and creativity.
This was the first year the Lenawee Intermediate School District hosted a Ten80 event just for local schools, and the excitement was easy to feel. Middle schoolers kicked things off, followed by the high school competition the next day. The atmosphere was a mix of friendly rivalry and teamwork as students gathered around their cars, made last-minute adjustments, and cheered each other on during the races.
Every car on the track was equipped with a small transponder that sent lap times to a scoring system as the vehicles zipped under a bridge. Some races focused on the fastest lap, while others rewarded endurance and consistency. Between heats, teams huddled together to solve problems, tinkering with their cars to squeeze out better performance. Those moments, when a group steps aside, troubleshoots, and comes back stronger, captured the heart of what the Ten80 experience is all about.
By the end of the event, many students were already brainstorming how to make their cars even better. That is exactly the goal, to spark curiosity, build confidence, and show how classroom concepts connect to the real world in exciting, hands-on ways. With plans to host a spring event, the momentum for Ten80 racing in Lenawee County is only picking up speed.
A special thank you goes out to the teachers who have been dedicated to making this program thrive in Lenawee County: Greg Dutton and Renee Gilson from Clinton, Jen Mason from Hudson, and Garron Rorick from Sand Creek. Their commitment has been essential to bringing this learning experience to life for students. The LISD also extends its gratitude to the City of Adrian Parks and Recreation Department for providing the parking lot space and safety barriers that made it possible to build the track and keep students safe throughout the event.
Lenawee County’s Ten80 RC Racing program is led by LISD Curriculum Consultants John Hill and Jackie Murray. Their work helps schools across the county bring STEM concepts to life through hands-on, competitive learning experiences. Anyone interested in learning more about the program or exploring ways to get involved is encouraged to contact John or Jackie by calling (517) 265-1605.