STEM Challenge returns to fairgrounds on April 12

Elaine Giles

Posted 2/1/24

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Calling all future scientists and engineers. Can you make a Ferris wheel out of ordinary supplies such as toilet paper rolls, cardboard and string? If so, consider …

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STEM Challenge returns to fairgrounds on April 12

Students were tasked with building a Ferris wheel at last year’s Youth STEM Challenge.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Students were tasked with building a Ferris wheel at last year’s Youth STEM Challenge.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Students were tasked with building a Ferris wheel at last year’s Youth STEM Challenge.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Students were tasked with building a Ferris wheel at last year’s Youth STEM Challenge.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Posted Thursday, February 1, 2024 12:05 pm

Elaine Giles

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Calling all future scientists and engineers. Can you make a Ferris wheel out of ordinary supplies such as toilet paper rolls, cardboard and string? If so, consider participating in the Youth STEM Challenge at the Clay County Agricultural Fair on Friday, April 12.

The Youth STEM Challenge is returning for a second year at the fair. The contest will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.. Youth teams will be competing to build a Ferris wheel out of random supplies in two hours. Team builds will be judged on creativity, teamwork, communication and critical thinking. Youth are eager to participate in the contest again.

Colin Potts, a 4-H Prime Cuts Club member, said, “[Last year’s] stem challenge was very challenging and fun! I am excited to do it again this year.”

“The Youth STEM Challenge at the Fair was a fun and challenging contest where we were able to use problem-solving skills to design and construct a working Ferris wheel from random objects,” said 4-H member Cecilia Cramer
Children 5-18 can participate in the contest, and it is open to youth in Clay and surrounding counties. Youth must register on the Clay County Agricultural Fair’s website by Friday, March 15. Adding the STEM Challenge at the Clay County Agricultural Fair has allowed more youth to join and participate in the fair.

Tasha Hyder, the Executive Director of the Clay County Agricultural Fair, said, “Adding STEM to our fair, where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ignite innovation and empower minds was a great fit for our fair. We were able to include more youth than just our agriculture youth. It’s been a treat watching them work to build their Ferris Wheel.”

Youth teams that are interested in participating in the contest can participate in an optional educational workshop held on Saturday, March 2, at the Clay County Extension Office located at 2463 State Road 16, next to the fairgrounds. The workshop will give youth teams the opportunity to practice building their Ferris wheel and troubleshooting teamwork challenges.
Interested teams can RSVP at bit.ly/3TTcCvh by Monday, Feb. 26.