Barker Hosts 3rd Annual Water Bottle Rocket STEM Community Challenge at Ames Field
Barker Middle School held it’s 3rd annual STEM Community Challenge Year End Finale Water Bottle Rockets on Friday, May 5th. This was a unique event in which Ames Field was used for an academic competition! Barker students and elementary students competed in Preliminary Rounds in April to advance to compete in the finale competition at Ames Field.
All Barker students attended this event along with 7 participating elementary schools. Special guests were also in attendance that included Mayor Ron Meer, City Controller Rich Murphy, MCAS Superintendent Dr. Eason-Watkins, MCAS Asst. Superintendent Wendel McCollum, MCAS Communications Director Betsy Kohn, and Michigan City Police Department’s blue smart car made an appearance. The event was broadcast live by WEFM radio 95.5. The News Dispatch also covered the event. Also appearing as special guests were school mascots MCHS Wolfie, Barker's Charlie the Crusader, Coolspring Wildcat, Lake Hills Lion, and Pine's Panther who all performed the "Cha Cha Slide" at halftime for the crowd. Barker’s elite chorus students and the national anthem while our local VFW men’s auxiliary brought their parade flags for the singing kick off to the special event.
There were 7 top Barker teams, 7 top elementary teams, and 7 community groups/businesses that competed. The 21 teams competed in the first round of the day followed by a halftime show. The top 10 teams competed in a “fly off” finale round to determine the 3rd place, 2nd place, and champions of the competition. The halftime show consisted of a public announcement by Amy Hamann, Barker’s Curriculum & STEM Coach, and Dr. Eason-Watkins of Barker’s STEM Certification by the Indiana Department of Education. Barker’s STEM Community Challenges have also been recognized by the Indiana Department of Education’s “Promising Practices” as a model for our state and nationally. The Michigan City High School JROTC performed at halftime along with Captain Ed who shot MCHS t-shirts and bags gummy rockets into the stands. Elementary students attending received Barker STEM Academy silicone bracelets and Barker students received Michigan City High School Wolves silicone bracelets as a thank you for the event. Best hang time of the day went to Michigan City Fire Department of 13.56 seconds as their water bottle rocket descended amazingly with the wind over the press box!
Team |
Finale Rd #1 |
Barker Mr. Blakeney's Homeroom |
4.37 seconds |
Knapp 5th Grade Cheetah Unicorn Sprinkles |
3.53 seconds |
MCPD |
3.38 seconds |
Barker Ms. Davis' Homeroom |
1.96 seconds |
Marsh 6th Grade Rock-It 2 |
1.20 seconds |
KTR Corporation |
5.71 seconds |
Barker Ms. Pol's Homeroom |
4.91 seconds |
Joy 5th Grade Team Applesauce |
2.85 seconds |
US Steel Corporation |
9.71 seconds |
Barker Ms. Mecklenburg's Homeroom |
2.26 seconds |
Pine 6th Grade SJK |
1.53 seconds |
NIPSCO Corporation |
2.23 seconds |
Barker BNN Homeroom |
5.01 seconds |
Coolspring 5th/6th Grade Apollo Dragon Slayers |
5.94 seconds |
MCFD |
13.56 seconds |
Barker Ms. Frever's Homeroom |
4.56 seconds |
Lake Hills 6th Grade MOAB |
1.01 seconds |
MCAS Technology Department |
6.51 seconds |
Barker Ms. Grabowski's Homeroom |
7.34 seconds |
Edgewood 6th Grade |
2.67 seconds |
Sullair Corporation |
5.45 seconds |
Finale Team |
Finale Fly Off |
Coolspring 5th/6th Grae Apollo Dragon Slayers |
10.31 seconds |
Barker Ms. Frever's Homeroom |
7.34 seconds |
Sullair Corporation |
6.26 seconds |
Barker Ms. Pol's Homeroom |
5.67 seconds |
US Steel |
5.47 seconds |
KTR Corporation |
4.88 seconds |
Barker BNN Homeroom |
4.54 seconds |
MCFD |
4.38 seconds |
MCAS Technology Department |
3.46 seconds |
Barker Ms. Grabowksi's Homeroom |
2.76 seconds |