End-of-Year Projects Bring Out Competitive and Playful Spirits

Various school-sanctioned battles and competitions broke out around campus to close out the academic year. 
Anne Deane's 8th grade science students completed their study of the periodic table by creating playable board games to teach facts about the periodic table. They then hosted a game-playing event for 7th graders. Game designs ranged from simple to complex, and some were extremely lively and colorful. 
As their final exam, Engineering & Design I students tested out their trebuchets. Student teams had an hour to score at least 25 points firing a tennis ball at targets at a range of 50-100 feet and then 5 minutes to demonstrate that their trebuchet could launch the ball the length of the basketball court to earn a bonus multiplier. The majority of trebuchets passed with scores under 50 points. Jack J. and Peter W., however, earned a record 249 points by consistently hitting high point-value targets and earning the bonus. 
8th grade Latin students in Meg's class always look forward to one special day: Gladiator Day! After studying ancient Roman culture, students craft swords, shields, and armor out of cardboard, and then face one another in "combat." The MS spectated and helped determine the outcome of each face-off by cheering for the most effective gladiator. This year's Gladiator Day champ was William DA (his sister Maeve won two years ago, so a Gladiator Day dynasty has been established).
Alex's Engineering II students spent this quarter designing and building boats. Following a given set of parameters, boats were tested on displacement, speed, maneuverability, and effectiveness. Boats were constructed using a variety of materials, including wood, aluminum, plastic film, and duct tape and were powered by electric motors that could be operated using a remote control system. A makeshift pool set up near the basketball court served as their lab for the final testing day. The most entertaining part was watching boats being pitted against each other to see which could most effectively knock eggs off (3 eggs had to have a resting space onboard) or damage other boats while maintaining their ability to float and maneuver. The butane flamethrower on the vessel designed by seniors Owen and Ty was a particular highlight.
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Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
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