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The NTT INDYCAR Series returns to the St. Louis region Friday and Saturday, June 14-15, for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) in Madison, Ill. Among the many attractions at this major motorsports event, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Formula SAE team will be featured on STEM Lane, showcasing their student-built race car to thousands of race fans.

STEM Lane, located in the racetrack’s midway, offers interactive exhibits and hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities for fans of all ages. SIUE’s presence highlights the University’s commitment to experiential learning and its support for aspiring engineers.

SIUE’s Formula SAE is a student organization that supplements classroom instruction with practical, hands-on experience in automotive engineering. Each year, the team designs and fabricates a Formula-style race car to compete in the Formula Student International competition organized by SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers).

“Our SAE Team bridges the gap between classroom learning and practical application,” said Brandon Murphy, a fourth-year student and president of SIUE Formula SAE. “World Wide Technology Raceway has been extremely helpful with all of this, and everyone at the track has been amazing.”

The competition challenges university teams to design a prototype race car that could be considered for production. Student engineers must demonstrate technical skill, creativity, and teamwork. SIUE competes in the Internal Combustion division, one of four competition categories that also include Hybrid, Electric, and, new this year, Autonomous.

The race weekend at WWTR will also feature some of the biggest names in INDYCAR racing, including Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, and Josef Newgarden. While only one driver will take the checkered flag, fans visiting STEM Lane can explore how SIUE and tomorrow’s automotive engineers are designing the future.

PHOTO: Formula SAE Car and SIUE Formula SAE Team