An independent school specializing in the education of neurodiverse students, is celebrating a landmark win in a county-wide STEM competition. Skyuka Hall’s ninth grade physical science class won first place in UTC’s 2024 Marble Rollercoaster Design Contest held Feb. 29.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) students from across Hamilton County, both public and private, participated in the competition to design, construct and successfully demonstrate a structure capable of transporting a marble from one point to another.
Each team was given only a ream of copy paper, a roll of transparent tape and a meter stick. Entries were required to be at least one meter tall and include either a loop or jump to add a level of complexity to the task.
The ninth grade team from Skyuka Hall was able to include both a jump and a loop in their design, as well as adding aesthetic elements. Overall the final entry was functional and pleasing to the eye. It was also the only one in the competition to use a pyramid structure as its foundation.
“I am so very proud of every student and the characteristics exhibited while working toward a common cause,” said Trey Smith, Skyuka’s STEM teacher. He and Mrs. Ashley Moore, principal, accompanied the team to the competition.
Mr. Smith continued, “We are excited for what this means for both our school and the future of our STEM program as we move towards a new campus and decade in the den, pushing ever forward.”