Problem solving was the goal of the second annual Science Olympiad held at District 33's West Chicago Middle School on Saturday, February 2, 2008. Students who entered the Olympiad constructed a Rube Goldberg device that could either water a plant or throw a tennis ball 20 feet.
In the Plant Watering division, 1st place was awarded to the team of Sarah Ratliff and Kaitlyn Tynczuk. Second place went to the team of James Morgan, Luke Smith, Davis Steinbrecher and Ben Stibal. 3rd place was awarded to the team of Isle Briseno and Pam Campos.
In the Tennis Ball Throwing division, 1st place was awarded to Tony Carroso, 2nd place to the team of Jonathan Cunningham and Dylan Dewey, and 3rd place was awarded to the team of Rabely Banuelos, Noemi Cinto, Edgar Esteban, Dulce Flore, and Zimeon Zenteno.
Congratulations to all of these innovative, creative thinkers.
Photos of the entries can be found at www.communications.wegoed33.site.eboard.com.
A Rube Goldberg device is an overly complex device designed to perform a simple function, such as water a plant. In Saturday's challenge, students had to construct devices that took one minute to complete the task. Many unusual and creative devices took the stage to compete. For more information on Rube Goldberg devices, visit www.rubegoldberg.com.
Becky J. Koltz
Director of Community Relations
West Chicago Elementary School District #33
312 E. Forest Avenue West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 293-6000 ext. 201
Website: www.wegoed33.k12.il.us