Quarryville Library invites local youths to participate in the annual Fluor Engineering Challenge. This worldwide competition, developed as a collaboration between academia and technology companies, invites children to solve a problem using inexpensive materials. The challenge is designed the reinforce learning about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and it gives the library a chance to win $1,000. The competition began on Feb. 12 and will run through Friday, March 12. It is free to enter and is open to youths in kindergarten through 12th grade or the homeschool equivalent.
This year's simple civil engineering challenge, building a paper tower, requires children to design a model and improve it and to learn by discovery about elements of physical science. The challenge involves design constraints and the point system, authentic engineering considerations. It only requires children to use paper, tape and an unopened can of food. Anyone who needs paper or tape can inquire at the library's circulation desk.
Children can build and test as many towers as they like, but they should only submit one final tower. They should photograph their tower and upload the photo with the entry application. Children can enter the contest individually or in teams of up to four members. A team can be made up of siblings or friends, and parents and caregivers are encouraged to serve as coaches and teachers.
More information and an entry form are available at https://quarryvillelibrary.org/support-quarryville-library-by-entering-the-2021-fluor-engineering-challenge/.
The library will gather and submit the entries on participants' behalf. Participants may submit team photos for the library to post on its social media accounts, but this is not required; only an image of the tower is required. By posting photos online, the library will seek to demonstrate the strong local interest in STEM programming to potential funders. The library asks that anyone who directly submits an entry to Science Buddies notifies the library and lists the library as the community organization that is sponsoring the child or team.
Questions may be directed to the library's youth services coordinator, Sharon Roche, at sroche@quarryvillelibrary.org.
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