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Coleman Gregory, project engineer in LDG’s Williamsport site engineering department, recently served as a judge at the 2018 K’NEX STEM Design Challenge hosted by BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 and sponsored by ThermoFisher Scientific. The event welcomed 25 teams from 14 school districts in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties to the Field House at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Teams were challenged to build an eco-friendly device for the home, using no more than 1,400 K’NEX pieces.
“What a privilege to see how excited and fascinated the kids were by their ability to create inventions,” said Gregory. “It was humbling to be able to contribute skills that will help ignite a passion for STEM in the next generation of engineers.”
Entries ranged from a remote-controlled bed maker to a solar-powered microwave, and from a wind-powered vehicle (which could also clean one’s home’s exterior and chimney) to a wind-powered house. The devices were judged on creativity, teamwork, challenge success, design and presentation. Awards were given to the top three teams in grades 4-5 and grades 6-8. The top team in each division at the regional competition will advance to the state competition on May 18 in Harrisburg.
“As the coordinator of this competition, I appreciated the valuable insight Coleman brought to the student teams,” said Laura Klym, school outreach specialist with BLaST. “He shared his passion for creativity and innovation, making students feel comfortable and excited to present their projects.”
The winners of the challenge were:
Grade 4-5 Division
1st place: “Warriors” from Canton Area School District
2nd place: “Little Lancers” from Loyalsock Township School District
3rd place: “Lions” and “The 4th Muske’gears’ from New Covenant Academy
Grade 6-8 Division
1st: “Grill-O-Matic” from Sullivan County School District
2nd: Lancer Lawnmowers” from Loyalsock Township School District
3rd: “Pet-O-Matic” from Sullivan County School District
Gregory is one of the office leaders at our Williamsport location. His project experience is centered on commercial and industrial land development. He’s a member of the current class of Leadership Lycoming.
