Female Teams Dominate Cardboard Challenge
Team “Just Swell” from BHS beat out 24 other teams from six high schools to win the Cardboard Boat Challenge held on Thursday afternoon at the Bermuda National Sports Centre Aquatics Centre.
Teams of two to five students had two hours to build a boat, which could float two people, out of only the supplied materials, including cardboard boxes donated by the Bermuda Bread Company, duct tape and a box cutter.
The Challenge, organised by the Institute of Bermuda Architects [IBA] and the Bermuda Association of Professional Engineers [BAPE], aims to encourage students to consider careers in architecture and engineering.
Slideshow from the Cardboard Boat Building Challenge on Thursday
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“Just Swell”, from BHS, comprised of Lean Thompson, Rhiannon Higgins, and Cree Dunn, were the fastest team to complete a 50-metre lap of the pool in a time of one minute three seconds.
They held off “In Deep Ship” from Warwick Academy comprising Ahziah Hunt, G’Zai Dyer, Amber Simons, and Zori Seymour by a mere two seconds.
In third place was Mackai Whitter, Myeisha Sherrieff, and Arabella Crofts representing Somersfield Academy who finished in a minute and fourteen seconds.
Duncan Simons, President, IBA, says: “We had 100 students participate this year making it our most successful event yet. It is not possible to build a fast boat in two hours without addressing the design problems set forth in the challenge and communicating well as a team.
“That fact that the top three teams were almost entirely comprised of girls is reassuring as it is important as professions to engage with groups that have been historically underrepresented and for them to know that our professions are accessible should they consider pursuing them. Well done to all of those who participated.”
Stephanie Simons, President, BAPE said, “The BAPE is proud to offer continued support to the Cardboard Boat Challenge event. Having a record number of entrants is a positive sign that a growing number of young people are interested in and will now have experience with hands on problem solving skills. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the teaching staff who support the students who come out to participate.’
