Fab Lab's remote-controlled car competition invites students to register

On your mark, get your remote control cars ready, get set, registration is now open for the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab’s 8th annual remote control car competition, the RC Custom Car Open. 

The RC Car competition is an engineering and design competition for students in grades K-8, organized and led by a high school student committee. Students are invited to register in teams of two to four students. 

Beginning in late January, teams can sign up for weekend workshops that will teach them how to use the Fab Lab’s machinery to customize their RC car. With support from staff and mentors, the student committee selects the theme, designs the logo, medals, and trophies, leads workshops, envisions and builds two racetracks, and runs race day logistics.

The program culminates with a design competition on March 31 and a two-track race day competition on April 1. Winners receive cash prizes, scholarships and custom awards made at the Fab Lab.

Racers build creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills while having fun and making new friends. This experience allows the committee to build leadership and life skills while fostering a peer-to-peer learning environment where meaningful relationships among volunteers and racers are fostered. 

A $150 registration fee per team includes the car and accessories, eight weeks of hands-on workshops and two months of membership to the Fab Lab for each team member.

For information on registration, visit suncoastscience.org/rc-car.