Students from 45 CPS STEM and STEAM Schools Participated in Hands-On NASCAR-Themed Learning Competition at the Field Museum
CHICAGO (Mar. 7, 2026) – NASCAR, Chicagoland Speedway, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Field Museum welcomed more than 550 students from 45 CPS STEM and STEAM schools to the Field Museum on Thursday for the fourth annual STEAM Fest Design Challenge, a hands-on educational experience designed to introduce students to careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through the lens of motorsports.
The event brought together students from across the city to compete in NASCAR-themed academic and engineering challenges after more than 22,000 K-12 CPS students participated in an in-classroom design competition for the opportunity to attend STEAM Fest.
“NASCAR is proud to continue investing in programs that create meaningful educational opportunities for students across the region,” said Jacque Herrera, General Manager of Chicagoland Speedway. “STEAM Fest is all about showing students how classroom concepts connect to real-world careers in motorsports and beyond, while creating an exciting and memorable experience that inspires the next generation.”
Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on activities alongside NASCAR industry professionals, including ARCA Menards Series Driver Lanie Buice (Pinnacle Racing Group), Pit Crew Coach Kenyatta “Kap” Houston (Team Penske), and General Manager of Chicagoland Speedway Jacque Herrera, who shared insights into the wide variety of career paths available throughout the motorsports industry.
“Days like today are all about showing our students what’s possible for their future,” said Corey Morrison, Ed.D, Executive Director, Department of STEM, Office of Teaching & Learning, Chicago Public Schools. “The wide range of representation in backgrounds, experiences, and expertise shows our students what they can achieve when they apply themselves and the lessons that they’ve learned in the classroom to the living laboratory of motorsports.”
Students competed onsite in grade-level challenges for the opportunity to win complimentary tickets to the NASCAR Independence Day Race Weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
The annual STEAM Fest program is part of NASCAR Chicago’s broader community engagement efforts leading into the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend and reflects the organization’s continued commitment to education, youth outreach and workforce development initiatives throughout the Chicagoland area.
“The Field Museum is proud to once again partner with NASCAR and Chicago Public Schools to provide students with engaging experiences that make STEM and STEAM learning come alive,” said Julian Siggers, President and CEO of the Field Museum. “Programs like STEAM Fest help students see themselves in future careers connected to science, innovation and technology.”
NASCAR will make its long-awaited return to Chicagoland Speedway on July 3-5, 2026, with ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and NASCAR Cup Series action competing on the famed 1.5-mile tri-oval for the first time in seven years. Tickets for all the racing action can be purchased at www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
About Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway will make its return to the NASCAR schedule in 2026 for the first time in seven years. One of the premier tracks on the NASCAR circuit from its opening in 2001 to 2019, the Speedway is a highly competitive 1.5-mile tri-oval intermediate speedway in Joliet, Illinois. Located just outside the Chicago metropolitan area, the speedway provides convenient access to one of the nation’s top cities, offering a world-class race weekend experience unlike any other. Fans can purchase tickets at www.chicagolandspeedway.com and get all of the latest information.
About Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is dedicated to providing a high-quality education to all students, beginning with the District’s free full-day preschool programming for four-year-old scholars and continuing at neighborhood, magnet and selective-enrollment elementary and high schools that provide a rigorous K-12 education with schools that specialize in the fine arts, world language and culture, dual language, STEM, International Baccalaureate (IB), classical programs, and more. The rising District-wide freshmen-on-track and high school graduation rates reflect the hard work of the CPS community, including families, staff, and students across 635 schools. CPS celebrates the diversity of its more than 316,000 students who cite more than 180 home languages. Learn more about CPS at www.cps.edu and connect with CPS on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Field Museum
The Field Museum connects people to the natural world and the human story. Located on Chicago’s iconic Lake Michigan shore, the Field is home to nearly 40 million artifacts and specimens including the Chicago Archaeopteryx and the iconic SUE the T. rex. Much like the Earth itself, the Field Museum is always evolving. Every day, we work to uncover the history of life on Earth and find ways to safeguard its future, while sharing the beauty and diversity of our planet with visitors from every corner of the globe.
Contact:
NASCAR Communications
Jake DiGregorio
508-414-8853
