The event, held in the school cafeteria, brought students together to design and build hoop gliders using paper and straws, then test how far and how long their creations could fly.

“The program coordinators are anticipating that over 10,000 elementary students will be participating, and they were hoping to make the Guinness Book of World Records with the event,” said Erica Bell, elementary technology facilitator for the Mifflin County School District.

This marks the second year East Derry Elementary librarian Angela Dolin and Bell have led the DiscoverED Design Challenge with second-grade students at the school.

This year’s theme, “innovation inspired by nature,” introduced students to biomimicry — the concept of using ideas found in nature to solve human problems. In preparation for the challenge, students learned about aerodynamics and explored examples of how scientists and inventors draw inspiration from the natural world.

Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
Mr. Bickhart helps students Emmitt Jones and Allen McChesney create hoop gliders.

During the activity, each student designed, measured and created a glider, cutting and decorating their designs before attaching wings in positions they believed would improve flight performance.

The goal of the challenge was to build a glider capable of flying the farthest distance, staying in the air the longest and successfully traveling through a target. After initial testing, students were given opportunities to adjust and improve their designs.

Students across Pennsylvania are participating in the same challenge, with results to be submitted to DiscoverED organizers following completion.

“We hope to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records,” Bell added.

At East Derry Elementary, Daxton Holland won the distance category with a flight of 22 feet, while Mason Haines recorded the longest airtime at four seconds.

Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
East Derry Elementary School second-grade students Mason Haines and Xavier Haines work on their hoop gliders during a STEM activity on Tuesday.

Second-grade teachers participating in the activity included Abby Henry, Emily Reed and Zachary Bickhart.

It may take several days to determine whether the event qualifies for a Guinness World Record.

Submitted photo
Daxton Holland of Mr. Bickhart’s class won the distance challenge during the STEM DiscoverED Design Challenge. His glider traveled 22 feet.

Submitted photo
Mason Haines of Mrs. Henry’s class won the time challenge during the STEM DiscoverED Design Challenge. His glider hung in the air for four seconds.