The conference center of the Chester County Intermediate Unit was recently transformed into an arena for students to design and build the next big amusement park.

Using only K’Nex kits and motors, teams were asked to build a family-fun amusement park ride that inspired others to be environmentally friendly.

Budding STEM enthusiasts from 25 Chester County elementary and middle schools competed to create an environmentally-friendly amusement park ride at the fourth annual STEM Design Challenge in early March.

The engaging STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) challenge aims to ignite a spark of excitement in these young minds for all things STEM-related.

Earning the first-place medal in the 4-5 grade division was The Flume Foursome made up of team members Christian Carroll, Reilly Koitzsch, Zach Levin, and Anna Wilson from Vincent Elementary School.

In the 6-8 grade division, Water Works from Octorara Intermediate School took home the top prize. Water Works was made up of team members Hannah Hulton, Mackenzie Muldoon, Finley Reynolds, and Cole Shatto.

“We spent a lot of time practicing, and it feels great to win after working so hard,” Muldoon said. “It just feels so good, and we are so excited.”

Serving on the panel of judges were 10 industry experts from area companies, including:

• Accenture
• Omega Design Corp
• Micronic USA
• CA Technologies
• Blue Leaf Development
• USSC Group, Inc.
• Urban Air Trampoline Park

The STEM Design Challenge was sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific and coordinated by the Innovation Institute, which assists educators in developing instructional strategies to better prepare students for the 21st century global society.