GOT GRIT?™ CONTEST WINNERS
The most valuable lessons in life are rarely learned with ease. In the real-world, directions are often confusing, things break and results aren’t always pretty. We believe in the importance of recognizing students who tackle challenging projects with tenacity and mental toughness. Enter the contest.
What is Grit?
ENGINEERING WITH ENERGY
It takes Grit to go from prototype to final design. Zion, David and Jeremiah were challenged to
create a working launcher that used mixed forms of potential and kinetic energy. Overcoming a
mountain of broken rubber bands, bent cardboard, cut wire and splintered wood, the team developed a functioning model that met all the assigned goals.
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INVENTING AN ARCADE GAME
Ethan and Henry invented a vintage arcade game at South Lee High School with instructor, Martin Bryant. They quickly found that their CAD drawing was more challenging to create than had been anticipated. Paddles had to be modified, the launcher had to be reinforced, the ball became trapped, leftover materials had to be resourced. The engineering team demonstrated GRIT by overcoming the obstacles and creating a working prototype.
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above and beyond teaching
Stacy Latham demonstrated Grit at Barberton Middle School through an impressive history of remarkable lab improvements; whether it’s lobbying for funds to get a new module, creating her own modules when funds aren’t available, or customizing the curriculum with her own how-to videos. Her attention to detail and focus on making small improvements day after day, year after year, has led to a truly impressive lab experience for her students. You can check out some of her great resources below:
Testing the pH of Water Samples Video.
Rotation Grade Sheet.
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Constructing a little free library
Tyler was challenged by elementary school teachers to engineer a Little Free Library to allow easy access for children to borrow books. He utilized techniques learned from the BuildingSkills curriculum with Jerry Phillips, STEM & Construction Skills Instructor at Clyde High School. He demonstrated GRIT by overcoming many challenges while creating the waterproof structure.
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Engineering a Compass/SunDial
Jacob and Jordan designed and fabricated a custom compass/sundial apparatus with instructor, Martin Bryant, at Southern Lee High School. The engineering team was required to build at a specific 43.75º angle to match the sun’s shadow at North Carolina’s latitude. They displayed GRIT by overcoming 3D printing complications, friction and broken magnets. They also created a unique method for magnetizing the compass needle.
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FABRICATING ROLLER CAPS
Got Grit? Contest winners, Owen and Carter, challenged themselves to fix the district poster making machine with instructor, Josh Ames, at Central Junior High School. The team had to precisely measure and fabricate new roller caps. It took much trial and error, 3D printed parts failed and technical drawings had to be revised.
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3D Printer Engineers
Cy Ungerer, Josh Jenne, Lewis Orr and Brendon Wampler challenged themselves to design and build a 3D printer from scratch, with no kit or instructions. The team researched and assembled every part, many of which had to be custom fabricated. They demonstrated Grit by overcoming numerous obstacles along the way and succeeded in completing the project.
Click to watch a video of the working robot.
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SELF-PROPELLED BOAT
Hunter Wright, demonstrated that he’s Got Grit while engineering a self-propelled boat. He had to overcome many challenges during the project. His 3D printed design did not completely print and leaked. The boat would shift to the right and motor mount modifications were required. A custom switch was needed for consistent electrical connection and the boat was dramatically off balance during testing.
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Biohazard Retrieval Project
William Woodhouse, Daniel Cunningham and Alex Corby challenged themselves to design a custom Robotic Biohazard Retrieval Project at Clay Middle School, with instructor Derek Dial. The team documented their challenges in an engineering design notebook, highlighting that at one point the entire robot program was accidentally deleted. After struggling for five days to master rotation conversions, distance and grip, they completed the task, proving that they have got grit.
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Underwater Robot
Jingyu Liang discoved that it takes grit to engineer an underwater robot. The Got Grit Contest winner was forced to repair and replace a number of components. Acrylic boards broke and peeled apart. Weight and balance alterations were needed. Motors had to be upgraded and replaced. He also incorporated additional waterproofing modifications and designed a 3D printed a payload box.
Click to watch a video of the robot in action.
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Cardiac Stent
Got Grit Contest Winners, Arianna and Ramani learned that it takes grit to work in Biomedical Engineering. The 6th grade students were challenged to create a wire stent that would spring open and support an artery, in the STEM Lab at Carmel Middle School, with instructor, Sally Davidson. Thanks for sharing your learning experience. Keep up the great work.
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Home Engineering
Congratulations Got Grit Contest Winners: Anthony, Jonathan, Pavel, Brannoc, Madison, Tony, Josh, Isabelle, Antonio and Brianna. The 8th grade students, at Swansboro Middle School, were challenged by instructor Michelle Flint to create a working model that required the collaboration of multiple modules. The team designed the house in CAD, then developed a solar powered electrical system to run lights and a ceiling fan. Walls and landscape had to be fabricated and painted. Furniture was scaled down and 3D printed. The final project combined: Virtual Architecture, Alternative Energy, Laser Technology, Materials Processing, Environment & Ecology, and Digital Manufacturing.
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Lunar Prototype
Got Grit Contest Winner, Noah Terhune, engineered a Lunar Robot Prototype, at South Lee High School, with instructor, Martin Bryant. Thanks for sharing your learning experience. Keep up the great work.
Click to watch a video of the working robot.
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Flight Technology
Got Grit Contest Winners, Deniz Telci and Jacob Weinstein, discovered that aeronautical engineering requires grit. The team developed glider prototypes, in the STEM Lab at Reading Junior High School, with instructor, Rachelle Ferguson. Thanks for sharing your learning experience. Keep up the great work.
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USB Charger Prototype
Got Grit Contest Winner, Connor Buckley, creates his own portable charger. Connor is a 6th grader, in the STEM Lab at Clay Middle School, with instructor, Derek Dial. Thanks for sharing your learning experience. Your contest submission demonstrated that you've got grit. Keep up the great work.
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Engineering Beams
Got Grit Contest Winners, Jorie and Haley constructing and testing beams. We are proud to reward the hard work and determination they demonstrated in the STEM Lab at Ira Jones Middle School with Applied Technology Instructor, John Pilch. Thanks for sharing your learning experience. Keep up the great work.
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