Quick Takeaways
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Event Overview: The 26th annual Invention Challenge at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory gathered middle and high school teams to showcase their engineering skills with home-built devices, competing in the “Bucket Brigade Contest.”
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Competition Details: Teams had to design devices to move 2 gallons of water 16 feet in under 60 seconds, with strict adherence to specific rules.
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Winners: Arcadia High School’s Team Still Water won first place, completing the task in 6.45 seconds, followed by Mission Viejo High’s Team Senior Citizens and Santa Monica High’s Samo Seals.
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Awards & Participation: Special recognition was given for artistic, unusual, and creative designs, with additional teams from Colorado and Massachusetts participating.
Invention Challenge Boosts Future Engineers at NASA JPL
Students showcased their engineering skills at the annual Invention Challenge held at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. This year marked the event’s 26th anniversary. Middle and high school teams brought their creativity, building devices from materials like plywood, motors, and duct tape.
Each year, students face a unique challenge. This year, teams participated in the “Bucket Brigade Contest,” tasked with transporting 2 gallons of water across 16 feet within 60 seconds. Teams worked hard, following intricate guidelines to make their inventions successful.
Eighteen teams from Los Angeles and Orange counties competed fiercely. Arcadia High School’s Team Still Water secured first place, achieving the task in just 6.45 seconds. They impressed judges with their design and efficiency. Mission Viejo High’s Team Senior Citizens followed closely, finishing in 6.71 seconds. The Samo Seals from Santa Monica High came in third with a time of 9.18 seconds.
In addition, five teams from outside California joined the competition, bringing a broader perspective to the challenge. Notably, Team “Trial and Error Engineering,” led by a retired JPL engineer, took first place again this year. They demonstrated impressive problem-solving skills and innovation.
Judges recognized standout teams in various categories. Team Clankers received the award for most artistic, while Team 6 from Pioneer Charter School was named most unusual. The Team Winning Engineering Team (WET) from Temple City High earned recognition for creativity.
Support from JPL’s staff made the event possible. Dedicated volunteers helped set up and organize the competition, fostering a spirit of collaboration and learning. Participating in events like this inspires young engineers, encouraging them to explore the fields of science and technology.
The Invention Challenge continues to nurture the next generation of innovators, proving that hands-on experiences can spark creativity and advance technology development.
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