Ping-pong ball launchers and chemical Scrabble: Welcome to the Academic Olympics

DurhamRegion (Canada): Ping-pong ball launchers and chemical Scrabble: Welcome to the Academic Olympics

BOWMANVILLE -- So here’s the deal: Take a ping-pong ball, a bunch of ordinary materials like wood, screws and elastic bands, and launch said ping-pong ball 25 metres. And you’ve got 75 minutes to do it.

Sound easy?

Think again.

The creation of a functioning launcher is a significant challenge, as students participating in the Academic Olympics event Saturday at Clarington Central Secondary School (CCSS) learned.

One team of four -- Krystyn Ewert, Brian Perry, Becca Lascar and Emily DeHaas, all of CCSS -- returned a number of times to the drawing board as they addressed the challenge presented them.

“We were going to launch it through that tube,” Krystyn said, indicating a piece of black plastic plumbing pipe lying on the gym floor, “then it evolved into a catapult -- and then a slingshot.”

Krystyn noted that the team had consulted on a concept beforehand and brought the materials they’d likely need, “but it’s trial and error.

“It’ll probably all come together in the last five minutes,” she said, watching as Brian hammered a nail into a board for the base of the slingshot.

The Clarington Central crew was among 11 teams of four from Bowmanville, Port Hope and Peterborough to participate in the Academic Olympics, an event begun several years ago at Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School. It’s a chance for students to apply the knowledge and principles they learn each day in a practical and fun way, said Chris Warren, head of the science department at CCSS.

“We have big sporting events, but the kids are academic minded don’t have the same thing,” he said.

Teams generally consist of one member from each grade from 9 to 12 and they spend the day addressing a number of challenges that require them to draw on the full range of their knowledge and experience. The ping-pong ball launch, for instance, is an exercise in physics. Teams are rated on how far their ball flies, as well as travel time, so they have to consider not only the strength of the device they create, but the trajectory the ball will take.

In other areas of the school participants were involved in activities such as a Scrabble-type game based on chemistry and an Amazing Race event that saw them scrambling to complete tasks and solve puzzles.

“That’s one of the things about this competition: they have to work as a team,” Mr. Warren said, noting each member brings strengths and attributes that contribute to the overall effectiveness of the group.

“The kids are worried if they’re going to do well. All we’re worried about is if they have a good time,” Mr. Warren said.

At the other end of the gym the CCSS team had assembled their slingshot and were ready for a trial run. The initial results were -- um -- disappointing. The ping-pong ball sprang about half a metre in the air, fell to the gym floor and trickled off into a corner.

“It’s not going to stand up,” said Becca, who had been holding the base of the device.

“You’re so pessimistic,” observed Brian, scrambling after the ping-pong ball, which threatened to dribble off under the bleachers.

A few tweaks, a realignment of personnel, and another attempt. The ball arced through the air -- as gracefully, one reckons, as a ping-pong ball could -- about five metres and bounced smartly on the hardwood.

“Yeah!” Brian cheered. He hastily gathered the team for further consultation.

Across the sprawling gym Yifan Ou and Calvin Choi of Peterborough were assembling a medieval-looking catapult consisting of 2-by-4s and metal screws. Anyone observing a test would do well to stand back. Other teams huddled in consultation, taking little notice of their fellow competitors.

Laughter and the sound of ping-pong balls skittering across the floor filled the gym.

That’s the Olympic spirit for you.