STEM Superstars

STEM Superstars

  A group of Cranberry students recently participated in the regional STEM Design Challenge, and as a result of motivation, work ethic, and a desire to succeed, six Cranberry teams from grades 4-8 were recognized with awards.

For this competition, students had to submit blueprints, an engineering notebook, and a digital presentation of the project. Traditionally, this competition is held in person, but due to the current COVID-19 circumstances, it was held virtually. However, the students involved still had to dedicate a lot of time and hard work to create a functioning prototype of their product.

Gayle Mitchell, the advisor to STEM, stated, “The students who participate in STEM set their own standards of performance. I do of course have expectations, but what's really exciting is watching the students decide for themselves to do more. When they are internally motivated to make their project better, they grow from giving their best effort.” 

In the 6th-8th grade division, the team consisting of Dane Wenner, Jordan Zerbe, Conner Zerbe, and Cooper Grams achieved first place and will be moving on virtually to the state level of the competition. Their project, the “Sound Net,” demonstrated how sound from street noise could be collected and used to power urban buildings. 

Dane Wenner mentioned, “We are very proud that we were able to design an idea that the judges thought was worthy of first place. What made us even prouder was that after taking second place for so many years…  achieving first place is even more exciting.”

The Most Creative Project was awarded to a team composed of Lily Emanuele, Kayla Hanna, and Kelsey Hanna. Their project, the “VRC,” was a virtual reality classroom.

Additionally, Cranberry’s 4th grade team won the younger division and will also be attending the state level of the competition. 

“I am very proud of all the students and their efforts, but I would be just as proud of them even if their work was not awarded a prize. To be able to work on something and to see it through to completion, to successfully collaborate, and to be flexible enough to change course when things aren't working out are all skills that will follow them into their lives beyond Cranberry,” said Mitchell.