This evening around the campfire… We hear the story of Oak Knoll Middle School. Their trials, their victories, their story…

Rarely does Challenge Discovery have the opportunity to work with students on multiple occasions in one school year. However, we have developed that relationship with a few schools, and find that the impact on those students increases tremendously. Oak Knoll Middle School is one great example. We get to see their students twice each semester, with their unique STEM class. This class is open to 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students at the school. They cover STEM related topics (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) throughout their time in the semester long course.

We have been able to partner with the teachers of this STEM class, to provide two different teambuilding programs for their students. We start with our WaterWorx program. This activity involves a long challenge, that is broken down into three phases. The overall task involves building a system using tubing, small plumbing pieces, a drill with a water pump extension, and don’t forget…your team! The first phase is the Design/Build Phase, followed by phase two, the Individual Time Trial, and ending with the third phase, the Team Challenge. Throughout this challenge, students will pause in order to reflect with one another on their behavior, teamwork, and personal growth. Check out this video!

Students work together to transfer colored water through their system during WaterWorx.

These students then visit us at our ropes course, for our Team Odyssey program, later in the semester. During this program we build on the successes and team that they build during the WaterWorx program at the school. During this program we work to apply the ideas of team behavior, and add on the challenge of ground activities and the high ropes course. Students learn about each other and themselves throughout their day with us. Our facilitators, and these students create a much deeper bond because we get to see them more than once. It exponentially increases the level of learning and bonding that these students experience with one another. We are so lucky to work with Oak Knoll Middle School, and their enthusiastic STEM students!