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Finishing the final lap before fourth grade
CANFIELD
C.H. Campbell Elementary School third-graders, in the final lap of the school year, learned the importance of math in drag racing from guest teacher and local driver Ryan Martino.
“Multiplication is essential to what we do in the race car and how we run our operation day to day,” Martino said Tuesday afternoon.
Aidan Radinsky, third-grader, said he never thought drivers had to do math to race, but knowing that gives him a better appreciation for the subject.
“It’s a lot more fun if you learn things while trying to have fun,” he said.
Jackie Glista, third-grade teacher, said the event provided a relaxed environment for students to have fun and wrap up the school year with an unconventional lesson.
“We got to learn about distances, timing, speed, adjustments and measurements. It’s all math that goes into racing,” she said.
Martino stressed the importance of paying attention in school to get a head start academically to stay ahead.
“We tried to incorporate what we learn and how important math is in the racing community and how important it is to learn these skills at a young age so it’s easier to learn down the road,” Martino said.
He noted he prioritized school above racing, but used his hobby as the fuel to rally him through his homework.
“When I was growing up, I would always be at the racetrack, and between studying, homework and reports, as soon as I got done, I’d be racing people by foot, Big Wheels, Hot Wheels and basically anything I could get my hands on, I would race,” he said.
Third-grader Siena Yoon said she enjoys math and was interested to see its practical application.
“Whenever he races and builds cars, they have to always measure things to figure out what size motors will fit in the cars and what size trailer he needs,” Siena said.
Other students just appreciated the opportunity to meet a professional race-car driver.
“He was just awesome,” said Tyler Scharrer, another third-grader.
Students went up against the clock – and each other – putting their multiplication skills to the test as they raced to the dry-erase board to solve math problems before their opponents.
Martino also taught students about the importance of sportsmanship.
“I learned racing is fun and not all about winning,” Aidan said.
Glista said Martino combined an academic and fun event of math and racing with real-life lessons about family and culture.
Martino said not only does he try to follow in his father Tony Martino’s footsteps in racing, but he also uses his Youngstown roots as the driving force behind his racing career.
“I like doing it with our family and doing it for the city of Youngstown,” Martino said.