Madera County Students Compete in First STEM Games!

SNO Staff3 weeks ago

0 297 2 minutes read

PIcture of Code Mountain Home Students who received Second place. 8th Grade Team members include Micaiah Boutard, Darian "Kova" Crump, Jaxson Lavoie. Coached by Kim Meeks. — Code Busters Mountain Home: Second place 8th Grade Team members include Micaiah Boutard, Darian "Kova" Crump, Jaxson Lavoie. Coached by Kim Meeks.

Madera County’s middle school students from throughout Madera County competed in the first STEM Games hosted by Madera County Superintendent of Schools and Madera County Schools Foundation.

This year, 10 teams from five schools competed in a series of four different competitions throughout the day. More than 85 students participated. The event was held at the Madera Community College and schools were allowed up to 17 students per team. Each grade level competed separately.

“The first-ever STEM Games brought an incredible energy to our county,” said Tricia Protzman, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. “It was inspiring to see students come together to compete and have fun with STEM. With a mix of team challenges, outdoor activities, and creative problem-solving, the day was a true celebration of innovation and learning.”

During Code Busters, teams of three students worked to decode 20 encrypted messages using cryptanalysis technics for historical and modern advanced ciphers. Sherman Thomas STEM Academy placed first in the Code Busters 7^th grade competition and James Madison Elementary School placed second. Sherman Thomas STEM Academy won the 8^th grade competition followed by Mountain Home School Charter.

During Formula Race, teams raced to be the first team to answer four questions correctly, each student answered one question. James Madison Elementary School placed first in the 7^th grade competition and Sherman Thomas STEM Academy earned second place. The 8^th grade first place team was Sherman Thomas STEM Academy. Ranchos Middle School earned second place.

Picture of Mountain Home Surge Showdown team: 7th grade team members preparing their launcher during Surge Showdown. Members include: Anadel Burrow, Ezra Donker, Mercy Kim. Coached by Kim Meeks. — Mountain Home Surge Showdown: 7th grade team members preparing their launcher during Surge Showdown. Members include: Anadel Burrow, Ezra Donker, Mercy Kim. Coached by Kim Meeks.

At the Machine Masters competition, teams ran machines they designed in advance. Students dropped a golf ball into the machine, which started a series of actions that ended with a bell ringing. This year Ranchos Middle School placed first in the 7^th grade competition. Sherman Thomas STEM Academy earned first place in the 8^th grade competition followed by James Madison Elementary School in second place.

During Surge Showdown, teams launched tennis balls using a launcher they built in advance. Teams tried to launch the ball closest to two different targets. Ranchos Middle School placed first in the 7^th grade competition and James Madison Elementary School placed second. Ranchos Middle School earned first place for the 8^th grade competition followed by James Madison Elementary School.