About 160 students from school across Berks County got a chance to show off their science, technology, engineering and math skills this week.
The students, making up 40 teams, competed in the 11th annual STEM Design Challenge at the Berks County Intermediate Unit.
Azariah Ongwae, left, and Adalynn Woodward, both 11 and both fifth graders at Greenwich Elementary in the Kutztown School District work on a pollution separator during the Berks County Intermediate Unit's 11th annual STEM Design Challenge on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the BCIU Main Office, 1111 Commons Blvd., Muhlenberg Township. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The contest was broken into two age groups, with students in fourth and fifth grades competing Tuesday and sixth- and eighth-graders competing Thursday.
The challenge was a hands-on event, with students designing and using K'Nex or Engino pieces to build a prototype that addresses a real-world problem related to infrastructure, transportation or urban development.
Elementary school students participate in the Berks County Intermediate Unit's 11th annual STEM Design Challenge on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the BCIU Main Office, 1111 Commons Blvd., Muhlenberg Township. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The contest focused on industry, innovation and industry, and the students sought to develop innovative solutions for more efficient, sustainable and accessible cities, roads and systems.
The purpose of the competition is to expand STEM-related educational opportunities for students at the regional and state levels while highlighting the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
As the Sweet Read City Transportation Authority, students create a simulated city during the Berks County Intermediate Unit's 11th annual STEM Design Challenge on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the BCIU Main Office, 1111 Commons Blvd., Muhlenberg Township. From left are Maddy Hall, 10; Hailey Winslow, 9; Patrick Hannigan, 9; and Eva Weaver, 10, all fourth graders from Brecknock Elementary in the Gov. Mifflin School District. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
First -- Sweet Read City Transportation Authority, Brecknock Elementary School.
Second -- K'Nex Creators of Cumru, Cumru Elementary School.
Third (tie) -- STEM Gems, Oley Valley Elementary School.
Third (tie) -- Artistic Architects, Oley Valley Elementary School.
Fan Favorite -- Beauty & Brains, Whitfield Elementary School.
Grades 6-8
First -- Wind-Assisted Vehicle Engineering, Twin Valley Middle School
Second -- Infrastructure Initiators, Oley Valley Middle School
Third -- Flood Fighters, St. Catharine's School, Mount Penn
Fan Favorite -- Adventure Bay Inventors, Wilson Southern Middle School.