Jasper County Charter System (JCCS) students in grades 2-12 participated in a system wide Hydropower STEAM Design Challenge.  Students were challenged to construct a water wheel that would raise a paperclip attached to a string on a straw.  The main design constraint was the limitation of types of materials.  All materials were common household items.  Students had to prove that their system worked independently when a flow of water was released.  The Jasper County High School (JCHS) research team Dam Exam created the challenge and packed more than 300 bags with supplies.  The Dam Exam team also released an instructional video for participants to view.  Students entered the challenge by submitting videos and explaining their design.  Students pictured are category winners from each school.  Categories included:  Highest RPM, Best Design, Best Explanation, Best Special Effects, and Best Construction.  Jasper County Middle School (JCMS) students Layla Melton, Abi Garland, and Selena Harvey were the overall JCCS winners.   Click on the links below to watch the video entries and video instructions about the Hydropower STEAM Design Challenge. 

JCHS Dam Exam Research Team

Julia Proctor, Kate Schilling, Angel Bell, Will Garvin, Marley Sands, & Abby Whittle

Watch the Challenge Instructions 

Watch the Hydropower Results Video