This year’s Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition for middle and high schools in Bullitt County required constructing a roller coaster in less than two hours using specific materials and without parental assistance.
Each roller coaster was required to have one loop, two hills, one curve and a completed Engineering Design Project (EDP) narrative. Teams could earn bonus points for additional hills, loops and curves.
Once complete, teams ran a marble through their design. This marble had to complete the entire track distance, which was easier than it sounds.
Oh, and the first hill did not count as one of the two hills. According to District STEM Challenge Coordinator Jaymee Clemens, the first hill was the proverbial “drop.” In amusement parks, this is when the screaming starts.
Student teams who won their school competition knew there would be five choices on the table, but were unaware of the actual challenge until they arrived at the competition. Working together, the students assembled their creations and tested them over and over.
During judging, some students were disappointed that what worked in practice did not
prevail. For those teams whose marble completed the distance during judging, it was time for hugs and high fives.
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