MASD Participates in First Annual Tri-District Challenge Day
May 15, 2012 in News by John Brougher
On Tuesday, April 24th, 32 gifted fifth-graders from the Derry Township, Lower Dauphin, and Middletown School Districts participated in the first annual Tri-District Challenge Day. The day-long event was held at Londonderry Elementary School. Students were not told what their challenge would be until they arrived that morning. After hearing the welcome address by Lower Dauphin Superintendent, Sherri Smith, and an informative presentation by Mr. Kent Bachmann, Director of Design and Engineering at Hershey Park, the students learned they would be creating a working amusement park ride for a family of “riders” (ping-pong balls and marbles) out of recycled materials. Within each of the eight groups they were tasked with brainstorming ideas for designs which included the following : a ride for riders of various sizes that lasts at least 5 seconds; space for riders to wait in line (queuing); safety signs with warnings for the riders; and attractive themed scenery. Upon completion of the ride construction, each group chose a spokesperson to present their ride to the group and demonstrate its use with a rider. At this time a group of ride evaluators from Hershey Park judged each ride and prepared an official rating for each member based on criteria such as: uniqueness of the design; functionality; safety; rider needs; and visual appeal. Eight successful rides were created that day and many new friendships formed.
The second year of the rainforest project in the 6th grade Geography class at Middletown Area Middle School was twice as successful as last year. The class of 2011-2012 raised $2,000 in one week to buy rainforest land in South America and keep it from being destroyed. They raised the money by selling tickets for root beer floats and also by getting donations from people in the community. This year the project reached across the entire 6th grade curriculum. All of the 6th grade MAMS teachers put together a lesson that was specific to their curriculum about an aspect of the rainforest and how it is being affected by the current unfortunate trend of destroying the rainforests at a rate of 100 acres per minute.
Students at the Middletown Area Middle School recently participated in a contest sponsored by the fine staff of Nutrition INC. Students were treated to “ballpark” favorites during lunches on April 20th, 2012. Each student was given a sheet of scrambled Major League Baseball team names to decipher the correct city and team nickname. The winners were all from 8th grade, Connor Wallet, Mark Wagner, and Christian Nordai. Each student was awarded tickets to an upcoming Harrisburg Senators baseball game.
