DIS students work on mousetrap challenge
Dover Intermediate School students are in the middle of the first Mousetrap Interschool Design Challenge with two neighboring schools.
DIS students are busy designing mousetrap cars to rally for a spot in a race with cars from Troy Intermediate School in Avon Lake and East Intermediate School in Midview. DIS Principal Nick Miller said the race was born out of discussions by three principals looking for a friendly competition among buildings.
“It’s a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) activity during our enrichment periods. The students are really excited and working together on their designs and builds,” Miller said. “This is the first time we’re doing something like this. We might create a traveling trophy and make it an annual event if it goes well.”
Each school will host their own competition (DIS will hold its race on Feb. 24) to crown the top four teams, who will face off against each other on Feb. 28 at Troy Intermediate on a 15-foot-long track.
The student-led process involves designing, building, modifying and racing cars at school with minimal adult assistance. Students are working in small groups and were provided with the following supplies: two dowel rods, two straws, three feet of kite string, four zip ties and one mousetrap.
The only required item to use in constructing the car is the mousetrap. Students were able to bring in additional materials and were encouraged to decorate their cars.
At DIS, the mousetrap design challenge is an enrichment activity for select students. Fifty-four students comprising two- to three-member teams are working with fifth- and sixth-grade science teachers on their cars during enrichment periods.