eighth graders begin year with many science challenges

Story by Emily Biltmier and Alex Smelley

Closing my eyes, my partner sets the Skittle on my hand and I begin to place it on my tongue, trying to comprehend the flavor of the Skittle.

Throughout the year, eighth graders will encounter the problematic physics challenges.

“We do physics challenges because it is a fun way to apply your wisdom and think creatively,” Mrs. Susie Fulp, eighth grade science teacher, said.

The challenges helps students take the knowledge they learn from the class and apply it to real world problems. They also teach students how to work well with others and to find different ways to solve a problem.

“My favorite was Save Sammy because you had to work as a team, or it couldn’t be done,” Madi Nelson, eighth grader, said.

Only being able to use a straw, cup, and one paper clip to get a gummy worm into a lifesaver without dropping or puncturing it was the objective of the Save Sammy challenge. Without others providing assistance, this challenge would be difficult to complete.

Griffin Scott, eighth grade, said that he enjoyed the Skittles challenge because it he liked trying to find out how many Skittles colors he could guess.

Students aren’t the only ones who have favorite challenges, Fulp said her favorite to watch is the pumpkin drop, which takes place in October.

After each challenge is completed, the teachers analyze the times that they were completed in, making the fastest group the winner.

“The winning group for Simon and Fulp receives their names on the board, " Scott said.

Not all of the challenges are as easy as others, for example the marshmallow challenge was tough because it wasn’t easy to manufacture a stable, standing structure.

The eighth graders will continue to complete a variety of physics challenges in order to benefit their knowledge on the unit and real world applications.

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