Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Junior Engine Challenge completed its first-ever STEM Day on Friday April 20 at the Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, Illinois.

Ninety-four fifth graders from Ranch View Elementary School in Naperville, Illinois, came on a field trip to the UTI location to learn about how STEM relates to the automotive field.

Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL) started off the day by speaking to students about the importance of working with their hands and STEM activities, followed by UTI Campus President Julie Muller thanking the students and teachers for coming to UTI’s campus. Muller gave a breakdown of the events for the day, including being placed on teams with a mentor as they completely disassembled and reassembled a Briggs and Stratton overhead cam engine, got to interact with two junior dragsters on display and took a tour of the campus, among other activities.

The program is part of HROT’s initiative to reach students at a younger age and let them experience the automotive aftermarket industry.