Sheridan Elementary Students Go to Nationals!!

Jessica Morris, Drake Osaben, James Earl, Madisyn Hammick, Isabells Thor, and Thomas Rohrick, known collectively as the Sheridan Sharks, were recently selected to advance to the TOYchallengeTM 2009 Nationals at the United States Patent and Trade Office in Alexandria Virginia on May 16. The team, led by 5th grade teacher Donna Yu, is one of only a hundred teams from across the country that are participating in this challenge to design an original toy or game concept. 

The teams, comprised of at least 50% girls, submit written descriptions and visual presentations of their concepts under one of the themed  categories -- Games for the Family, Get Out and Play, or Toys that Teach. The submissions are judged on originality, creativity, feasibility, design process description, team participation and clarity of communication. At the Nationals on May 16, one team will win the grand prize and one team will also be named a winner in each of the themed categories.

This program is designed to engage middle school-aged kids, especially girls, in science and engineering, and inspire them to pursue careers in these fields. The program is a part of Sally Ride ScienceTM   and was founded by astronaut Sally Ride. In previous years, team members from Sheridan Elementary actually met Ms. Ride at the Nationals.

If you are interested in helping support this team on their engineering adventure, contact Sheridan Elementary at 651.293.8745. GO SHARKS!!

submitted by Donna Yu