BROOKLYN, Mich. (May 14, 2014) — Track and Explore is an innovative partnership between Adrian College and Michigan International Speedway, designed to enhance education in STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The program returns in 2014, increasing in scope, capacity and impact since its modest beginnings as a biological survey of one small area of wetlands.
The program won the Campus-Community Partnership Award by Michigan Campus Compact (MiCC) for its accomplishments as an exceptional partnership between a Michigan college and a community group in 2013. The purpose of this award was to honor one partnership that has successfully demonstrated a commitment to higher education and community that has resulted in a tangible community impact.
Since its inception, more than 1,300 middle school students from 10 schools have participated in the field trip portion of Track and Explore, with more than a dozen Adrian College students researching and giving science lessons under the supervision of two faculty members, and with the support of the Institute for Career Planning.
Adrian College expects more than 1,400 students to take part in the program this year after 1,265 local students participated a year ago.
“MIS is truly thrilled to partner with Adrian College to bring something so unique and impactful to our area,” Curtis said. “We are proud to showcase both Adrian College and MIS in a way that might surprise a lot of people by providing outdoor educational programs and experiences such as Track and Explore for all of the children in our area. Here in the beautiful Irish Hills, the outdoors means a great deal to all of us at MIS so we hope these experiences help open kids to take active roles in addressing the complex environmental challenges facing our world, and instilling in them a sense of responsibility for and stewardship of the open spaces, waterways and natural resources.”
The students are already gearing up for a successful 2014 season. Adrian College has reserved numerous dates in May to introduce more students to the program.
May 7 Lenawee Christian School and Morenci
May 8 Addison and Grass Lake
May 12 Western Middle School
May 13 Western Middle School
May 14 St. Stephen Lutheran and daVinci Institute
May 15 Columbia Middle School
May 19 Keicher
May 20 Keicher
May 21 Jonesville
May 22 Hillsdale
May 23 Onsted
May 28 Springport
May 29 Onsted
This unique partnership in sports allows hundreds of school children and college students from the region to benefit from learning about the ecosystem of the Irish Hills area, but also experience nature and conservancy that could contribute to their future work as scientists.
The program now uses most of the Speedway’s 1,400 acres, including 900 acres of natural area, as an outdoor-education classroom for middle school students, and as a practicum for Adrian College science and education majors who conduct research, create science lessons tied to state standards, and lead environmental-science field trips at the site.
Adrian College students have already found and photographed biological samples and developed displays for the MIS offices, enlisting Adrian College art majors for illustrations.
There are five educational components of the program:
Trail: Identifying Flora and Fauna of the Irish Hills Area – Students will use the MIS nature trail to observe native plants and invasive species that thrive in the Irish Hills. Students will learn the techniques of scientific observation.
Water Quality: Scientific Testing of Water Quality and Why it Matters Middle school students will be invited to observe and participate in the ongoing testing of water quality. Students will test for chlorine, nitrate, phosphate, and pH from a variety of area water samples. They will also learn how water quality is closely linked to the health of both flora and fauna in an ecosystem.
Animal Encounter: A Closer Look: An Exploration of the Animals Living in Southeastern Michigan – Students will have an up-close and personal encounter with the wildlife that populates Southeast Michigan. They will learn how animals care for themselves in the wild and what we should do to protect and preserve their natural habitat.
Microscopes: Looking Through the Lens: Observation on a Microscopic Level – Students will learn the appropriate use of microscopes to examine pre-made specimens and samples from area water sources.
Race Track: Observe the Physics of the Track – See the inner workings of the Michigan International Speedway, the fastest track in NASCAR. The tour goes around MIS, allowing students to see the 18 degree bank, touring pit road and Victory Lane.
The goal of these lessons is to take the opportunity to connect the experiences and environment of MIS with the Michigan Benchmarks for the grades 5-8. The program will supplement and enrich the objectives that the classroom teachers already teach the students. This opportunity will be used to further develop the scientific processes and inquiry processes that the students are learning in their classes. The Adrian College Teacher Education students who developed these lessons also located pre and post field trip activities for the teachers so that they can continue to relate the MIS experience to the lessons in the classroom.
TRACK AND EXPLORE activities will take place at Michigan International Speedway in the MISCamping.com Graves Family Campground and the Champion’s Club presented by CP Federal Credit Union. Programs will conclude May 29.
For Michigan International Speedway, the partnership has created a wonderful avenue for its brand promise to support environmental initiatives, community endeavors, education initiatives and worthwhile activities for kids, all in the backdrop of the fastest racetrack in NASCAR.
If you would like to sign your school up for Track and Explore you can email misacscience@adrian.edu or call 517-265-5161 ext. 4424. You can also follow the program at http://virtualtrackandexplore.weebly.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/TrackandExploreMISAC.
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.
PHOTO: Students from Western Middle School hike the nature trails at Michigan International Speedway as part of Adrian College’s Track and Explore Program.
2014 Michigan International Speedway Schedule
Friday, June 13 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and Sprint Cup Qualifying
Saturday, June 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series
Sunday, June 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400
July 18-20 Faster Horses Festival
Friday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice and Qualifying
Saturday, Aug. 16 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 presented by Cooper Standard Foundation & Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation
Sunday, Aug. 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400
