Congratulations to MUSD GEM (gifted education) students who participated in the 2022 Kidstruction Competition! Teams from Twin Peaks K-8, Gladden Farms Elementary and Coyote Trail Elementary were selected as winners.
Gifted students sixth grade across Marana Schools flexed their engineering muscles during this year's Kidstruction challenge. Kidstruction is a city-wide design/building competition for middle school students where students design and build futuristic structures based on a theme. This year’s theme was Galactic Gallery, and structures were built using only business cards, toothpicks, and glue, and required to fit on a 12” x 12” base. The annual design challenge is hosted by local architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
Competing teams learned about sustainability and the development of human life beyond earth. They explored the challenges of building on another planet or in the microgravity of space. Structures were entered into categories:
- Cosmic Living: Living systems (utilities, infrastructure), housing, sustainability.
- Astrobotany/Astrobiology: Agriculture and cultivation in space.
- Terrestrial Mining: Mining facilities, infrastructure, etc.
- Celestial Tourism: Recreation facilities, tourism hubs in space.
- Intergalactic Transportation: To infinity and beyond! Space ports, space crafts, etc.
The final showcase and competition took place on September 24 at the Park Place Mall. Students were incredibly creative with their final submissions! Marana Schools is proud to announce winning teams:
- Terrestrial Mining: 1st Place – created by “The Shockers” team from Twin Peaks K-8
- Celestial Tourism: 2nd Place – created by “Mars Martians” team from Gladden Farms Elementary
- Cosmic Living: 2nd Place – created by “Space Dancers” team from Coyote Trail Elementary
Great work, GEM students!
Kidstruction is hosted by the Southern Arizona Chapter of the Society for Design Administration and AIA Southern Arizona Chapter.
