STEM and Outdoor Education

Our Gr 9 STEM class recently spent the day at Bruneau Dunes State Park for the first “Riverstone Winter Derby.”

In early January, the class was divided into five teams and challenged to design and construct human-powered sleds that could support the weight of one team member and move across snow or sand for 400-meters. Over several weeks, the groups designed their sleds using skis, wood and paracord, while learning to use drills and hand saws. According to STEM teacher, Jenn Schmutzler, the students became very familiar with the classic building mantra, “Measure twice, cut once.”

In order to test their designs and hopefully be crowned the victors, the class travelled to Bruneau Sand Dunes for the final 400-meter challenge. The students’ Gr 11 peers helped with strategizing and any last-minute fixes. The “Jamaican Bobsled” team, comprised of Cate C, Louisa G, Ben HK, Nick L, Nathan M, Cody W, and River W, won the challenge.

Also, Gr 11 Outdoor Leadership Program students and Outdoor Education Coordinator, Derek Wright, added more challenges to the day as preparation for the class’s upcoming trip to Grand Gulch, Utah. The activities involved setting up tents, igniting and sustaining backpacking stoves, practicing Wilderness First Aid scenarios, and team-building. Each group also planned and cooked a meal using the backpacking stoves with the goal of wowing their peers’ palates.

When all was said and done, it was a fantastic day of competition, laughter, problem-solving, and team-building. As we often say, “Not all classrooms have walls.”