On March 29th, 2023, five eager and excited teams of fourth and fifth graders competed in the 2023 STEM K’Nex Design Challenge along with their advisors, Mr. Pomeroy and Mr. DiMenichi. It was time for them to showcase what 12 plus hours of hard work can accomplish!

Faced with developing a K’Nex prototype to address issues of climate change and pollution, our five teams brainstormed, assessed the pros and cons of their ideas, conducted research, developed their ideas and made them come to life. Additionally, the teams created notebooks detailing their design process, reflections on each build session, blue prints, and photo documentation. Lastly, the teams had to create a concise two minute presentation that detailed the problem, their solutions, and how the prototype worked.

All five teams performed with confidence and positive energy during the competition. Mr. Pomeroy and Mr. DiMenichi enjoyed watching them engage the judges with poise and pride. While none of the teams medaled this year, they have grown intellectually and have endured a long and tedious process, overcome challenges, and sparked hope and optimism for the future. Moravian Academy can be very proud of these students and what they have accomplished. In the end, they got the greatest medal of all… the overwhelming sense of satisfaction that comes with hard work.

Team 1 - The Carbon Capturers

Jazelle Tout-Puiissant, Mia Stubblefield, Reyah Jaffer, Ella Razavi

Team 2 - Ocean Clean-up

Guytano Stevens, Fox Slocum, John Brethour, Ian Abia

Team 3 - Rainwater Collection / Hydroelectric Generator

Alexandra Goodman, Asiya Akbar, Audrey Zumba, Daphne Vavylone

Team 4 - Rainwater Collection

Amaaya Chaudhry, Wyatt Lutz, Audrey Yerrington, Lucy Ronco, Strati Yialamas

Team 5 - Rainwater Collection / Solar Generator

Elli Krupka, Serena Jaffer, Theo Collins, Nate Krakowski