CONCORD WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
Engineering at Speed: A STEAM Field Trip Inside Charlotte Motor Speedway
A hands-on STEM field trip in Concord where school groups explore traction, acceleration and engineering using real race cars, RC cars and a guided tour of a 1.5-mile speedway.
Engineering at Speed: A STEAM Field Trip Inside Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Adventure brief
Engineering at Speed: A STEAM Field Trip Inside Charlotte Motor Speedway
At Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, the STEAM program converts classroom physics into tactile experiments: students move through hands-on stations that investigate traction, acceleration and balance using real race cars and RC cars, and they can augment that learning with build-and-race projects or career-focused tours of the motorsports industry.
Charlotte Motor Speedway, located in Concord, North Carolina, is a renowned hub for high-speed thrills and automotive innovation. Known for its roaring race cars and electrifying atmosphere, the speedway offers an engaging STEM-focused experience called STEAM that attracts students and families alike. This adventure isn’t just about watching the race; it’s an interactive journey into the science of speed, engineering, and motion. Participants dive into hands-on stations that demystify core principles like traction, acceleration, and balance. Using real race cars and remote-controlled models, visitors get a tactile understanding of how these scientific concepts play out at 200+ miles per hour on the track. The uniqueness of Charlotte Motor Speedway lies in its rich racing history combined with its commitment to education. This program elevates the typical visit—transforming it into a learning adventure that’s both exciting and informative. As a standout destination for motorsport enthusiasts and curious minds, the speedway ensures each guest leaves with a new appreciation for automotive engineering, seeing racing in a whole new light. The facility’s state-of-the-art technology and supportive staff make it a top choice for school field trips, family outings, or anyone intrigued by the mechanics behind racing. Whether you're a gearhead or just looking for a day of adrenaline and learning, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s STEAM program offers a perfect blend of fun and education, leaving an indelible impression on visitors of all ages.
Route Schematic
Itinerary at a glance
Stops combine hands-on stations, team projects and an engineering tour of the track.
Station Rotations (Option A)
Students rotate through 3 pre-selected, hands-on stations—spending approximately 20–25 minutes at each—to explore motorsports-related topics from traction to basic engineering.
Design, Build & Race (Option B)
Small teams of 2–3 students design, build and race cars in a project-based format that focuses on friction, engineering and speed while developing teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Career Session & Industry Tours (Option C)
A career-focused session for older students includes exploration of motorsports careers and tours of GM Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Track Tour
A guided ride or walk shows students the banking and engineering features of the 1.5-mile speedway; the track ride requires a signed waiver, while the walk to the start/finish line does not.
This program is geared toward organized school groups; the career session is intended for upper middle and high school students. Note that the track ride requires a signed waiver, though groups may opt to walk to the start/finish line without a waiver.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Five Hands-on Motorsports Stations
Students work through stations that put concepts like traction, friction and balance to the test using both real race cars and remote-control cars, translating abstract physics into observable outcomes.
Design, Build and Race — Team Project
In the build-and-race option students form small teams to design, construct and race a car, using project-based learning to emphasize communication, critical thinking and engineering principles such as friction and speed.
Track Engineering Up Close
Included across options, a guided tour reveals the banking and engineering features of the 1.5-mile speedway, providing a large-scale context for the physics and design topics explored at the stations.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
School groups choose among three program tracks—rotating station sessions, a team build-and-race project, or a career-focused session—and move through a compact, activity-driven schedule where hands-on investigation alternates with guided interpretation and a speedway tour.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits — and who should pick other options
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Published timing varies: the headline context lists approximately 2.5 hours, while the full program description notes the STEM Field Trip lasts approximately 3.5 hours during Non-Event times.
A signed waiver is required for groups taking the track ride; groups that choose not to ride may walk to the start/finish line without a waiver.
Student groups participate in one of three options: Option A (rotation through 3 pre-selected stations, ~20–25 minutes each), Option B (team-based 2–3 student build-and-race project), or Option C (career sessions and industry tours).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the STEAM field trip last?
Published materials list both an approximate 2.5-hour duration in the headline context and an approximate 3.5-hour duration during Non-Event times in the program description.
What program options are available for student groups?
There are three options: Option A—rotation through pre-selected stations; Option B—team design/build/race project; Option C—a career session with tours of motorsports organizations.
Is a waiver required for the track tour?
A signed waiver is required for the track ride; if the group prefers, they may walk to the start/finish line without a waiver.
How are students organized for the build-and-race activity?
In Option B students work together in teams of 2–3 to design, build and race a car as a project-based learning activity.
Who is the career session intended for?
Option C is designed for upper middle and high school students and includes exploration of career and internship opportunities along with tours of GM Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Is a track tour included in all program options?
Yes—the track tour that highlights the 1.5-mile speedway's banking and engineering features is included in all options for student groups.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-14T12:08:50.520Z
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Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.