By Cindy Butler Focke

Princess Anne Elementary fifth graders became engineers after a visit to The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, where they climbed ropes courses and glided on ziplines.

They also solved some hypothetical problems.

“The Adventure Park needs your help,” the assignment read.

They were tasked with measuring the course and manipulating certain variables that change riders’ experiences on a zipline.

Fifth grade teacher Andrew Shippy organized the first field trip about five years ago to add unique fun to their force, motion and energy unit.

After returning to the classroom, students were challenged to design a new element for the park.

Each of the five fifth grade classes divided up into teams of two. They came up with design ideas and then constructed miniature models on top of cardboard boxes and prepared oral presentations.

Two pairs per class were chosen as finalists to present to judges from The Adventure Park.

General Manager Darlene Zimble and Course Manager Morgun Knabbe visited the school Nov. 7 to hear pitches from the students.

Evaluations were based on creativity, safety and how students communicated their ideas using math and science.

“Safety is our number one priority!” announced Brandon Hoffman. He and partner Camden Miller created “Rocky the Rock Wall.”  The hanging wall had three sections of 4-foot-wide rock wall panels held between two towers made from paper towel tubes.

Elliot McVeigh and Calla Letellier introduced their idea with music. “Diamonds in the Sky” featured twinkling lights and swings shaped like rhombuses. Tiny duck figures represented people.

They showed the judges their element’s tweezles, the locking and unlocking safety mechanisms that prevent falling.

“You will be able to have fun and be safe,” the students said.

Hudson Kusheba and Grant Wilson’s creation featured letters that spelled “Adventure.” Adventure seekers could walk through a scenic wooden pathway made of popsicle sticks aligned with greenery toward a platform with multicolored lights. They installed pulleys to hoist climbers over each of the word’s letters.

Several of the ideas included wheelchair ramps and other accessibility features.  The judges praised students for careful thought about people with disabilities.

Savannah Nance and Breckyn Sanders’ described their “Accessible Eruption” as “a classroom in the trees.”  Their idea focused on wheelchairs getting up a ramp to a zipline.

Breckyn energetically described the idea as “an all-inclusive action-packed element.”

The judges applauded the creative efforts.

“The teamwork and work put in was very impressive,” Knabbe said.

Zimble said the project encouraged confidence. “It’s really good to practice public speaking skills and pitching an idea,” she said.

Team “Rocky the Rock Wall” took top honors and tickets to the park. With some modifications, the judges agreed the fifth graders’ design would fit in well at the park and could be implemented.

“We’d have to do very few tweaks to make this work,” Knabbe said.

Teams “Diamonds in the Sky” and “Accessible Eruption” tied for second place.

Principal Dr. Alison Reddy observed the presentations and commended the students. She said it’s important to involve students in real world challenges and opportunities.

“This project provides authentic learning experiences that promote future-ready learners,” she said.

Princess Anne Elementary fifth grade Adventure Park team finalists:

Rocky the Rock Wall – Brandon Hoffman, Camden Miller

Diamonds in the Sky – Calla Letellier, Elliot McVeigh

The Wobbling Catastrophe -Thomas Bellemare, Nikoloz Khorguashvili

Sports Drive – PJ Oandasan, Daxton Weber

Sky High Banana Grab – Avery Macina, Charlotte Perry

Adventure – Hudson Kusheba, Grant Wilson

Accessible Eruption! – Savannah Nance, Breckyn Sanders

Rally Racers – William Ficea, Lane Horton,

Eye-Catching Underpass – Savannah Humphrey, Abby Kuper

Roly Poly Way – Kallie Hammer, Alexa Rapay