MOUNT DORA -- Lake County Schools' annual STEAM Bowl is a hands-on test of students' science, technology, engineering, art and math skills. This years event kicked off Monday, March 3, at First Baptist Church of Mount Dora and will continue through Wednesday, March 5, for elementary students. It will pick up again on Friday, March 21, for middle school students.
STEAM Bowl participants compete to answer math and science questions and complete one engineering design challenge.
In the Roller Coaster Challenge, for example, fifth-grade students were asked to read an article, develop a roller coaster design, and then build it -- with at least one loop or corkscrew -- using a roller coaster kit with four metal washers. They were given 30 minutes to complete the challenge.
Scores were calculated based on the number of loops, corkscrews and turns included, as well as the height of the first hill and the total ride time. Students earned more points if their cars made it to the end without leaving the track.
The competitions are designed to foster teamwork, critical thinking, project management and communication skills.
Congratulations to today's winners and best of luck to the rest of our competitors!
