Today, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) held its 12th annual engineering competition during National Engineers Week. We were one of 14 junior high schools invited to participate. Each school brought a team of five students and one teacher, and NAVSEA assigned one of its engineers to assist us in building a rocket launcher.
Our task was to design the launcher itself. Each school received a box of materials and a one-million-dollar budget to "purchase" additional supplies. Bonus points were awarded for staying under budget. The “rocket” was a ping pong ball, and the goal was to build something that could launch it at—and into—a target set 10 feet away.
We started with a slingshot contraption made from rubber bands and popsicle sticks, but we couldn’t figure out a reliable way to stabilize it. Then we pivoted to a catapult—because if it worked in medieval times, it ought to work here. And it did. During our two one-minute test rounds, our launches consistently came close to the target.
The kids did a phenomenal job designing, collaborating, and building.
Owen calibrated each launch to fine-tune the projectile motion.
Leo, our architect, sketched both prototypes before we built them.
Miles came up with the catapult idea, crafted the cone to hold the ball, and took the lead as our main presenter before a panel of seven judges.
Eli and Jaden were our go-to engineers—constantly improving the launcher with each trial.
I couldn’t be prouder of these five. They worked hard—but even more impressive was how well they worked together. Just before the awards, Owen leaned over and whispered, “I hope we place.” I hoped so too. But I also knew we had a real shot at first—because no other team landed all three of their competition launches as close to the target as we did. And the boys nailed their answers to the judges’ questions.
So when our school wasn’t announced for third or second place, I saw the boys quietly squealing in their seats (I might’ve squealed a little too). We celebrated at the Costco snack bar before heading back to school.
Each student received a $30 Barnes & Noble gift card and a “First Place” certificate. They’ll also be invited to visit a real naval ship later this year. Our school received a framed certificate, and both a news reporter and local cameraman were on-site to document the day.
This was our second time winning first place at the NAVSEA Engineering Challenge—we also won back in 2008. That year, the five students never forgot the day. Not just because they won… but because Mrs. Nguyen got a speeding ticket.
We were on our way to the event, five students packed in my car, when a motorcycle cop pulled me over for doing 50 in a 35. Irritated, I turned to my students and said, “You guys better win this competition.”
They did.
Now we have two of these.
Go Tigers!!
