Schools

Grosse Pointe North Students Race in Cardboard Boats

The Cardboard Regatta was a physics project for more than 250 students. Those who won qualifying races competed a second time with their boat in the high school's pool.

Hundreds of students, parents, teachers, administrators and volunteers flooded 's pool early Friday to watch the first Cardboard Regatta. 

The Regatta was the culmination of a four-week project in the physics department requiring teams of students to design, construct and build cardboard boats large enough to support two for a race through the pool.

Although the project has been done for years elsewhere by artists and science teachers, this is the first time the problem-based project has been done in Grosse Pointe. Physics teacher Gary Abud thought it would offer students a different way to learn that would also be fun. 

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The 48 boats went through pre-race inspections in the gym early Friday before competing. Twelve qualifying races determined which teams/boats competed in the final three championship races. 

While Abud presented the idea to do the project, many other school officials including fellow physics teacher Don Pata, Principal Tim Bearden and even district officials helped. Abud also applied for a grant through the Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education to help fund the project.

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Cheers, laughter and chatter filled the gym and the pool as students gathered at the end of each lane at the pool. The teams had to paddle, using provided kayak paddles, down one lane and back to their starting point to complete a race. 

Some boats broke or sunk before the students were even all the way in while others lasted through two races. Some students capsized their boats in the midst of a race while others spun in circles. 

Students likely learned the most out of the project during the regatta, Abud said, explaining it allowed students to see the outcome of their decisions and work. The designs of the boats and their embellishments varied greatly and contributed to whether a boat glided easily through the water or stalled by spinning in place--linking design to the efficiency and ease of use of the boat, Abud said. 

The best part, he said, was students had fun and got excited about physics. "You don't see that," he said, of the excitement for physics.

Despite the chatter and excitement about the school all week, he was still surprised Friday morning to see how much energy and enthusiasm the students showed about their project. Many had themes and dressed in costumes for the races. 

During cleanup, Abud described the project as a success and said he looks forward to doing it again next year. 

The top three winners following the championship races are as follows:

  • 1st Place Overall: “S.S. RAD” with a time of 1:05.83
  • 2nd Place Overall: “The Flying Dutchman” with a time of 1:12.71
  • 3rd Place Overall: “The Jenny” with a time of 1:33.22


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