STEM at Barker
Welcome to Barker Middle School's STEM page, where we celebrate exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math!
Egg Crash
Barker STEM Community Challenge #1: Egg Crash!
Challenge: Design and build a device that allows a raw egg to fall from heights of 20 feet or more without breaking.
Parameters:
- Device must hold the raw egg
- ONLY the materials provided may be used
- Not all supplies have to be used
- Research is welcomed...
- Choose one person from your Team to be the “launcher”
- Each Team should Name their “Egg Crash!” Device!---Put your School Name on your device
- Egg must not break
- STEM Community Challenge Finale Round at Barker Middle School
- MC Fire Department will be here to help us “launch” our egg devices!
- Finale will be in Barker’s back parking lot off of Cleveland Avenue
- Parking will be available in front lots
Materials: Only the materials provided may be use. Not all supplies have to be used. The bag the items came in may be used.
-
3 file folders
-
4 bendy straws
-
30 cm masking tape
-
60 cm string
-
3 sheets of paper
-
2 rubber bands
-
Plastic bag
-
scissors
2023 Egg Crash Challenge
Ramp Challenge
Barker Middle School STEM Community Challenge #2: Ramp Challenge!
Challenge: Design a “ramp-style” device to roll a ping pong ball the longest distance possible using only the force of gravity to move the ball.
Parameters:
- “Ramp-style” device must stand up on it’s own & is not taped to the floor
- ONLY the materials provided may be used
- Not all supplies have to be used
- Research is welcomed...
- Choose one person from your Team to be the “launcher”
- Ping pong ball will be LET GO at the TOP of your ramp using ONLY the force of gravity; the ping pong ball MAY NOT be shoved down the ramp
- Each Team should Name their “Ramp-style” Device!---Put your School Name on your device
- SCORING: Final score is based on the HEIGHT of the ramp device (top) multiplied by the distance traveled by the ball in centimeters. Highest score wins.
Elementary Preliminary Rounds: The TOP 2 “ramp-style” devices will represent each Elementary School for the Final Rounds at Barker.
The STEM Community Challenge Finale Round is at Barker Middle School typically in February.
2022 Ramp Challenge
Water Bottle Rockets
Barker STEM Community Challenge #3: What Team Can Build a Water Bottle Rocket to Stay in the Air the Longest?
Parameters:
- Research! Research! Research! Plenty of online resources & ideas
- Each Team needs at least one 2-Liter bottle to be the main vessel of the water bottle rocket
- Some designs have included the use of 2, 2-Liters
- NO sharp objects may be attached to the rocket
- NO STORE Purchased Rocket parts/kits---all hand created...
- Your Team’s rocket MUST have a nozzle opening of about 1-inch wide to fit on the launcher
- DO NOT add anything to the nozzle opening or rocket will not fit on the launcher (see yellow arrow)
- All rockets will be launched with an air compressor using 60psi
The Challenge Finale competition takes place in May at Ames Field.
2023 Water Bottle Rocket Challenge
Drone Academy
Barker Students Participate in MCMA Drone Academy
Barker Middle School STEM students participated in the Michigan City Municipal Airport Drone Academy on Tuesday, September 27th and drone flight on Saturday, October 1st at Edgewood School.
Barker Principal Lucas Snyder and STEM Teacher Amy Hamann met with Drone Academy coordinators Jessica Ward, Carlton Bishop, Jaboc Miller, and Johnny Stimley to secure spots for Barker students to participate. Six students practiced with Flight Simulation software at the MC Municipal Airport on Tuesday, September 27th. Students also were able to practice flying an inside mini-drone, then sign up to fly a drone on Saturday, October 1st outside at Edgewood School.
Barker has purchased a drone and is working to enhance aeronautical experiences, studies, and technology to further their work with STEM students and inspire students in different STEM career pathways.