Revved up: Fifth graders face off in district-wide RC League race

Parents and students hold hand-made signs to cheer on a heat of racers at the annual RC Club race held May 28, 2025. Photo: Marina Knight // TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah – On Wednesday evening, the parking lot behind McPolin Elementary took on the energy of a race day pit—more Talladega than typical schoolyard. Race-themed music played over speakers as kids zipped around the track area, while parents and teachers gathered on a grassy slope. After weeks of building, testing, and fine-tuning their remote-control cars, fifth graders from across the district gathered for the for the annual RC Club race—a much-anticipated event that brings every participating school together.

The atmosphere buzzed with energy and focus as students prepared to put their hard work to the test. The races themselves were a mix of pure chaos and precise speed where teams pushed their cars to the limit – and sometimes beyond. The format? Heats of four cars that drove four laps, one completed by each member of a team from each school.

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This year, Parley’s Park joined the RC league along with Trailside (where the program began) McPolin and Jeremy Ranch. The program, now in its fourth year, offers fifth grade students the opportunity to design, build, and race RC cars in a hands-on, team-based environment. Over 100 students participated this year from the four schools.

Sam Thompson, the RC Race and Engineering League founder and teacher at McPolin said it’s about much more than just racing.  “It’s about learning how to work together, problem-solve, and push through challenges,” Thompson said.

Students work in small teams to assemble their vehicles, learning through trial and error to troubleshoot mechanical issues and improve performance. The focus, educators say, is as much on collaboration and perseverance as it is on engineering.

The RC League began as a small after-school effort at Treasure Mountain Junior High before shifting to elementary schools, where it found a stronger fit with fifth grade students. The Park City Education Foundation has supported the program from the beginning, funding tools, parts, and staff time as part of its Real World Learning initiative.

Melissa Bott, a PACE educator and co-teacher of the program at Trailside, said the program resonates with a wide range of students. “Kids who may not excel in traditional classrooms get a chance to shine here,” Bott said. “Some can’t wait to get to fifth grade just so they can participate.”

For some students, the program opens doors to new interests—and for others, it reinforces goals they’ve already started thinking about. Thompson recalled a student this who dreamed of becoming a mechanic. “He’s not your typical academic student, but he’s incredibly talented with his hands,” Thompson said. “This program helped him stay engaged in school by giving him something he could connect with.”

Thompson said he’s also excited by the growing diversity in the program, including more participation from girls. “Engineering benefits from more representation, and we’re starting to see that shift,” he said.

Looking ahead, Thompson hopes to expand the program’s reach—and possibly its scope. A future iteration could incorporate coding or even drones, aligning the curriculum more closely with computer science learning standards.

The program runs from January through May and is open to all fifth grade students in the district, though participation is limited due to high demand. Interested families will receive information through their schools in the fall. Students must apply and commit to regular attendance during the after-school sessions.

The Park City Education Foundation funds the RC Race and Engineering League as one of its eight signature initiatives. More information is available at www.pcef4kids.org.