Building Something New: Inside KLS's Student-Led STEM Racing Club

This past summer, a group of Khan Lab School students spent their days designing a race car. They were learning design software, training on manufacturing equipment, building a prototype, reaching out to companies, looking for sponsors, and figuring out what it actually takes to start a racing team from scratch.

The idea began with Zoya K. ’28, who attended an engineering expo at Caltech and saw student racing teams in action. She came back to KLS inspired to create something of her own and introduce more students to the different ways they could get involved in STEM. Today, Zoya K. ’28 serves as team manager, Nuha A. ’28 as manufacturing engineer, Seerat D. ’28 as design engineer, and Sparsha S. ’28 as marketing manager.

Learning as They Build

STEM Racing is a global competition where student teams design, manufacture, brand, and race miniature cars. For the KLS team, getting a car ready to race has meant learning a lot along the way.

The students are building skills in Autodesk Fusion, computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, and manufacturing equipment such as the drill press and lathe. They have also turned to the community around them to learn. KLS teachers and staff, parents, local maker spaces, and others have offered expertise and resources. Even a KLS alum joined in to help. Ansh Thakkar ’26 helped the team learn how to use the 3D printer before heading off to university.

For Seerat D. ’28, designing the car connects to an interest she has had since she was younger, when she imagined becoming an architect or designer. Now, as the team’s design engineer, she is creating blueprints for a car the team will actually build, test, and race.

There is plenty happening beyond the car, too. Starting a team means organizing projects, dividing responsibilities, finding resources, developing sponsorships, and figuring things out together. The students have even reached out to other STEM Racing teams to learn from students doing similar work.

Sparsha S. ’28 found her place through the creative and organizational side of the team. As marketing manager, she works on branding, fundraising, sponsorship outreach, and finding the resources the team needs to compete. Her role is one of the many ways students can bring their own interests and strengths to the team.

"This club is an opportunity to explore and build skills, to work on yourself, and work on a car. It makes it easier to step out, try something new, and learn along the way,” Zoya K. ’28 said.

Bringing More Students Along

The team has already expanded to include Middle School students, who are building their own cars and learning alongside the Upper School team. Students can jump in, start building skills, and find different ways to contribute without needing years of experience first.

As the program grows, the team hopes to build on that mentorship and connect students with specialists, companies, and local maker spaces. It’s KLS’s school motto in action: Everyone’s a student. Everyone’s a teacher.

Building a Community Around the Team

The students have also reached beyond campus, connecting with companies and organizations for materials, technical expertise, manufacturing support, and sponsorships. One of their early partners, WeCutFoam, provided manufacturing advice and scrap materials for the students to work with.

Parents have made introductions and shared resources, teachers have offered their expertise, and other racing teams have shared what they have learned. The students hope to continue growing those connections, particularly with people who have experience in CAD, manufacturing, machining, 3D printing, engineering, and design.

They are building cars, learning new skills, connecting with people beyond KLS, and sharing what they’ve learned with younger students.

For Sparsha S. ’28, that support has been part of what makes KLS a place where students can take an idea and see where it goes.

“The nice part about being at KLS is that you feel one hundred percent valued, and people support you no matter what,” Sparsha S. ’28 said.

Looking Ahead

The team is still building, learning, and preparing to compete, and we can’t wait to see what they build next and where they take it.