A middle school Destination Imagination team from STEM Academy is heading to state competition March 24-25 at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Destination Imagination allows students of all ages to be involved in problem solving across all the curriculum. The students chose a scientific challenge and named their team Forest Finders as their challenge takes place in a forest.
The team is made up of seven sixth and eighth-grade students. The students said they have been working on their project for about six months and said it was very exciting and somewhat surprising to make it to state.
Three of them went to state last year, but it was virtual.
They practice several days a week and at home.
“I felt like it would be a fun experience,” said 13-year-old eighth-grader Emily Ford.
Hannah O’Neal, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, said it also helps your creative side.
Kynndal Talley, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, said some people can stay behind the scenes and help with the mechanics and others who like to act can take center stage.
STEM Academy Curriculum Director Candi Sikes said this group of students is amazing.
“They’re really hard workers. They started from the beginning. In fact, a couple of the eighth graders came to me and said, do you have our challenge yet. We’re ready to get started. They almost motivated me to get their timeline started and get them rolling. They set their practice schedule. They’ve been very committed. I didn’t have to stay on them. They were very self-motivated. They created their checklists and their deadlines and all I did was manage; make sure that they stuck to their deadlines,” Sikes said.
She added that the students have to follow a budget to spend on the materials they use on stage.
“One of them mentioned that part of this challenge is math. And they say how do you have math in a fine arts challenge. They have to stick with their budget, so even if they used half a can of paint, they get to ration out what the cost of half a can of paint is and only include that on their budget, so they really spend some time working on that, examining it; seeing what they need to cut if they need to,” Sikes said.
They also made use of a lot of recycled material, garage sale items and things they could repurpose like cardboard.
“They get very creative with their materials. The way they use their materials and still create color, depth and dimension,” Sikes added.
Kara Ford, Emily’s mom, said she is super proud all the students.
“I know they have all worked extremely hard. I’m excited to see how state goes for them. Even if they don’t get first, it’s just an honor for them to get to state,” Kara Ford said.
