It was either sink or swim for eighth-grade students at D.H.H Lengel Middle School on Friday as they put what they learned in science class to the test by racing across the school pool in cardboard boats.
"We have a chapter on buoyancy and I try to get the kids active in doing things instead of just having lessons in the classroom," Lisa Giacomelli, the eighth-grade science teacher, said Friday.
There are about 160 eighth-graders at the school, Giacomelli said. In groups of about five or six, they designed and built their own boats using only cardboard and duct tape.
Giacomelli said students also had to apply math formulas and make calculations to see if the boat would hold them above water.
"It's been very exciting. It's the best day of science class all year," Giacomelli said.
This was the second year students have participated in the project designed to give them a hands-on learning experience in several math and science topics.
"I want to get them excited about learning. They are always excited for science class," Giacomelli said.
Different groups raced each period and the event lasted all school day. Teachers helped students with their boats but several also made their own to race.
About 15 teachers and faculty members also took their boats to the water, including Assistant Principal Mike Maley.
"It gets them out of the classroom and actually apply what they are learning to projects," Maley said.
Other classes were able to watch from the bleachers Friday.
"Teachers could tie a lot of lessons to it. Any class can learn from it," Maley said.
Not all of the boats made it across the pool Friday.
The boat built by Eric Wapinsky and his group sunk shortly after two students sat down in it.
"I think the boat was too small," Wapinsky said. "It taught me to look ahead and make better calculations."
Wapinsky said he always looks forward to science class with Giacomelli.
"She makes it fun," Wapinsky said.
Pat Moran and his group made a boat that was able to make it across the pool.
"It was really a team effort," Moran said. "There was a lot of blood, sweat and tape. There was a lot of tape."
Moran said each member of the team contributed ideas to make the boat light and water efficient.
"I just love science in general and the fact that Mrs. Giacomelli is able to make it fun is even better," Moran said.