STEM Challenge 'K'Nex' Playful Creation to Tomorrow's Workplace

The Penn College Field House was the venue for BLaST Intermediate Unit 17's STEM Design Challenge, which tasked each middle-school team with creating an environmentally friendly amusement park using K'Nex building sets. Thursday's event featured 26 teams from 12 school districts within IU 17's coverage area (Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties), all demonstrating innovation and skill that make them attractive to future employers. The teams' projects were judged on design, journaling, blueprints, teamwork, creativity and presentation to the judges. First-place teams advance to state competition, scheduled for May 19 at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer