The teams were tasked to create a machine solely out of K’nex pieces that will pick up 3 objects, move them across the table at least 6 inches and set them back down. The teams also had to consider how environmental friendly their machines are, create blueprints, create a budget and present their project in front of judges.

Sixth- through Eighth-Grade Division

First place went to Beaty’s Team “Auto Kick,” which included Grace Carr, Madison Cornman, Jadenne Fofana, and Laura Striker. The team will be going on to states in May with its “Auto Kick” design.

“At first it was super stressful and we thought we had no chance of winning until the judges came back,” said Striker.

Beaty Team “Jimmy Jumbo” included, from left, Meggi Brown (coach), Peyton Kent, and Quintin Norris (Missing from photo is Aubrey Carrington).

“The K’nex competition was really fun and it was nice to see what all the other teams spent their time working on. It was really exciting to get first place,” said Fofana.

Second place and Best Blueprints goes to Eisenhower’s Team “Eisenhower Elites,” made up of Alyssa Wismar, Nathan Hanson, and Rhiannon Cook.

“One quote that comes to mind about the whole competition was stated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means,

keep moving.” This competition was a unique challenge and an overall great experience,” said Wismar

Other teams that participated were Beaty’s “Twin Leaf and Company,” including Hailey Brush, Lucy Bigelow, Kamryn Loucks, and Rylee Arlington, and Beaty’s “The Crane,” with Timmy Koebley, Dominic Loucks, and Harley Poole.

Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Division

Eisenhower Team “Square Squad” included, from left, Olivia Wallace, Lainey Font, Rylee Stewart, Logan Penley, and Fallon Bachman (coach).

The Best Teamwork award went to Eisenhower’s Team “Shooting Stars,” with Jordan Burlingame, Madelyn Morrison, Bryndalyn Lindell, and Kendra Danielson.

“Winning the Best Teamwork Award was more valuable to us than winning first place. We had so much fun,” said Morrison.

“We had a lot of fun. I was excited that our team got the Best Teamwork Award,” said Lindell.

Other teams that participated were Eisenhower “Square Squad,” with Logan Penley, Lainey Font, Olivia Wallace, and Rylee Stewart, and the Eisenhower “Knights,” made up of Ayden Stiteler, Piper Knisley, Lila Eckman, and Riley Gafner.

Beaty’s “Jimmy Jumbo” included Peyton Kent, Quintin Norris, and Aubrey Carrington.

Eisenhower’s “Knights, from left, Lila Eckman, Riley Gafner, Ayden Stiteler, Piper Knisley, and Fallon Bachman (coach).

First-place winners will advance to the state competition on May 17.

The sixth- through eighth-grade division had 13 teams altogether. The fourth-and-fifth-grade division had 26 teams.

Photos submitted to Times Observer Eisenhower’s “Shooting Stars,” for the Best Teamwork award, is made up of, from left, Madelyn Morrison, Bryndalyn Lindell, Kendra Danielson, Jordan Burlingame, and Fallon Bachman (coach).

Photos submitted to Times Observer Eisenhower’s second-place “Eisenhower Elites” are, from left, Nathan Hanson, Alyssa Wismar, and Rhiannon Cook.

Photos submitted to Times Observer Beaty’s “The Crane,” from left, Timmy Koebley, Harley Poole, and Dominic Loucks.