On Wednesday, April 12, seven Allentown School District elementary schools had teams compete in the K’NEX Challenge at the CLIU21 in Schnecksville. Teams of 4th and 5th graders came prepared to solve this year’s STEM challenge problem, to create an amusement park ride that was ‘environmentally friendly,’ using less than 1400 K’NEX pieces and at least one motor. Our teams came up with GREAT solutions to the problem and built their creations within the 2-hour time limit. They presented the blueprints for their projects and an oral narrative of their work to the judges. Students and their teachers reported having a wonderful day and are anxious to share their creations once again at this year’s annual ASD Showcase of Academic Excellence on Tuesday, June 6 at Miller Symphony Hall.

This year’s K’NEX Challenge Teams were from the following schools:

• Central ES—under the direction of Ms. Katie Seagreaves,

• Cleveland ES—under the direction of Ms. Lisa Noll,

• McKinley ES—under the direction of Ms. Tara Peters,

• Mosser ES—under the direction of Ms. Deanna Maguire,

• Ramos ES—under the direction of Ms. Keri Mittura,

• Union Terrace ES—under the direction of Ms. Susan Connolly,

• Washington ES—under the direction of Ms. Audra Bittner

Special thanks to Muhlenberg College student teachers who also supported the project.