Pinewood in Ponca City

Girls from the Cherokee Strip Service Unit in the Ponca City area recently reached an exciting milestone when they participated in their first-ever Pinewood Derby during Friendsgiving at the Races. For many of the girls, it was their first opportunity to design, build, and race a car down a track; an experience that was made possible through a grant from Kay Electric Cooperative.

Girls engaged in hands-on STEAM learning through engineering design and problem-solving. As they built and tested their cars, they explored physics concepts like force, motion, gravity, and more. Seeing these concepts in action helped bring STEAM learning to life in a fun and approachable way.

Beyond the technical skills, the Pinewood Derby experience also supported the development of important life skills. Girls practiced perseverance as they refined their designs, teamwork as they collaborated with peers and mentors, and sportsmanship as they cheered each other on during race day. Each race helped them build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

Friendsgiving at the Races was more than a competition; it was a meaningful first step toward future STEAM exploration and a new tradition for the Cherokee Strip Service Unit. Through experiences like this, Girl Scouts continue to build courage, confidence, and character while discovering new interests and talents that will carry them far beyond the track.