A visit by the author/illustrator of a book about a boy who loved cars inspired Benjamin Logan students to learn first-hand about a family’s love of cars and discover the importance reading and science, technology, engineering and math processes have to real-world activities, including auto racing.
David McPherson explains to Benjamin Logan first-graders about the safety design of his modified race car Friday. Inside, his son, Logan McPherson prepares to start it for the students. (PHOTO | TINA MCPHERSON)
Elementary students saw Scott Magoon demonstrate to them Thursday how he uses computers to illustrate his books, including Otto, The Boy Who Loved Cars.
Friday, David McPherson, an instructor at the Univeristy of Northwestern Ohio in the high performance department and husband of first-grade teacher, Tina McPherson, took his modified race car to the school after students’ interests were piqued in the earlier assembly. It has placed in the top five in points the last two years at Shady Bowl Speedway. With him were their sons, Logan, a 2015 Benjamin Logan High School graduate, and Daniel, a BLHS junior. The boys completed many science fair projects during their school years over aspects of racing concepts during the time they raced quarter-midgets at the Mac-O-Chee Club in West Liberty. Both boys raced quarter-midgets, until they were 16, locally, regionally and nationally before moving on to modified racing.
The elementary and middle school students learned about the importance of the math, science and reading that is needed to build and race the car and had an opportunity to ask questions. The highlight of the time was when they would start the car for the students to not only hear, but also feel the rumble of the engine.