The Finals...

Well, it is March.  No, not the Final Four.  The finals in Gravity Cruiser Challenge.

Steph is the one who worked with the guy from GM (retired) to get this going.  She really wanted us there for the finals.  In fact, the GM guy wanted Joan as the official score-keeper.  Yes, once again, I am arm-candy.

The school is completely behind this project, promoting it as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) event.  They allowed the 5th and 6th grades to be there as an assembly.  Ten cars were in the finals; two runs each; the car that goes the farthest wins.

The Gravity Cruisers...

The cute score-keeper...

Measuring the runs...

Ready for the next run...

The roar of the crowd - shrieking 5th and 6th graders can push the decibel level beyond that of a jet engine or a Metallica concert...

They had programs printed up, including recognizing the Volunteers...

The awards ceremonies...

GM provided the medals as well as the materials for the cruisers.  I was glad to see there were winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place), and not just "participation awards."  Judging by the reaction of the kids, this did make an impact on them.  Smart to let the 5th grade come in and see the competition - they will be doing this next year.

Steph handing out other awards...

They had each of the volunteers come up to the podium, and a student told what they learned from the project and the volunteers.  They brought Joan and me up together - the young lady who spoke was on one of the teams Joan worked with (I was more of a "floater," helping each team with their test runs and making suggestions to lead them to ways to improve performance)... she went on and on about "how wonderful Joan is"... and, apparently, I am chopped liver.  ;-)  The kids gave us each a folder full of cards and thank-you notes.  I really appreciate that Steph is so good about teaching them the math and science AND giving them some life skills (like the thank-you notes).

It was a good experience.  For the kids and the volunteers.  And the school.

:-)