From staff reports
On March 26, Franklin Area Junior High students Ryleigh Henry, Amanda Buterbaugh, Joe Martin, and Josh Brenan participated in the 2018 K’Nex STEM Design Competition at the Riverview Intermediate Unit in Clarion.
The team faced off against 14 other teams in the Grades 6-8 Division as they designed and built an original K’Nex model representing a new product that could be used in the home. The Franklin team’s model, a Solar Powered Composting Garbage Can (SPCGC), was well received by the judges.
In addition to the model, the team conducted a presentation for judges which required the students to share research, discuss the design, demonstrate the mechanics of the design, and discuss project costs.
The competition also required students to prepare a journal, compose a research paper, and produce blueprints for the design.
At the end of the competition, the team received the award for the best blueprints and were named the 2nd place team overall, sending them home with medals and a plaque to display at school.
Also competing was Sandycreek Elementary 5th grade students Abby Boland, Finn Daly, Maddi Johnson, and Camden Smith.
