Fifth graders put their knowledge to the test to build creative hovercrafts

FRANKFORD, Del. – Have you ever wanted to float on air? Well, fifth graders from John M. Clayton Elementary School put their creativity to the test to see who could build the best hovercraft.

“It’s very stressful because we have to make everything perfect, and because we have to, like, make the circle perfect and then cut it out perfectly, so it’ll all go together, so we won’t blow up,” said student Kase Cathell.

Eager students gathered in the school’s gym to compete in a hovercraft building challenge. John M. Clayton principal, Allisa Booth, said it’s a great way to apply STEM curriculum, in a competitive environment.

“The younger you are, the more you suck in, so if we can get them interested in things that will build lifelong foundational skills for them, they’ll be more interested in it as they get older– into middle school in high school– and build their foundation as they become adults,” Booth said.

While the fifth graders put their heads together to get ahead in the hovercraft competition, students, like Kit Stoeckel, also learned some valuable life lessons along the way.

“In the beginning, a guy said it’s going to be the most difficult day, but also the most fun day of your life,” Stoeckel said. “It’s been a lot of fun flying it but trying to assemble it was so hard.”

And Cathell said his team is going to take home the prize.

“I do want to win, and I know we will win, because we’re the best, and we are dem kids,” Cathell said.

Booth hopes with Friday’s Fun activity, the students can walk away feeling accomplished, and know that with team effort, the possibilities are endless.

“You can do anything, and you are a valuable member of society,” Booth said. “Don’t give up; if you keep trying, you’re going to be able to do all the exciting and fun things that are out there for you.”