The team traveled on May 7 to a hotel before competing the following day in a two-hour challenge that required them to design and build a project on-site. Working under pressure in front of judges, the students constructed a fully assembled model using a variety of materials, including plastic components and mechanical pieces.

The seventh grade team of Kaylee Gray, Kaitlyn Salapek, Elsie Woldt and Ashlynn Zawacki received a score of 22.5 out of 24, one of the highest results they have ever achieved at the state level.

“For most of the two hours we were just constructing our build,” said group president Ashlynn Zawacki. “We had to build it right there in front of the judges.”

The project focused on soil pollution, a topic the students selected after conducting research as part of the engineering design process. Their presentation included a script and PowerPoint, which they used to explain their design and solution to judges during evaluation.

“Team Green Beans” of Kaylee Gray, Kaitlyn Salapek, Elsie Woldt and Ashlynn Zawacki with their final project during the state competition in Harrisburg

The students said they chose soil pollution after exploring broader environmental concerns such as industrial waste and air pollution.

Team members described a long preparation period beginning in late October, with meetings held after school, during designated class time, and even on weekends at each other’s homes. Each student contributed to different roles, including design, building, research and organization.

Despite their success, the team faced several challenges during preparation. Early designs were scrapped, and one member recalled that initial models were too fragile to survive handling. The group’s decorative component of mushrooms made from connecting pieces, repeatedly fell apart before being rebuilt successfully.

In addition to technical skills, students emphasized the importance of teamwork and persistence.

“We learned that teamwork is really important,” said team’s main builder Elsie Woldt. “And even when things are hard, you still need to try your best.”

The team members said they have been participating in the STEM program since elementary school. Each year, teams tackle different themes, including agriculture, infrastructure, and environmental systems.

Looking ahead, the students hope to return to the competition next year and continue improving their designs and results. They also encourage other students to join STEM programs, citing the opportunity to learn real-world problem solving and contribute to environmental solutions.

“Just thinking about the environment, we want to help build it back up,”said vice president of the group Kaitlyn Salapek. “Anyone in middle school and elementary school could be running the world one day, and every little bit we do now can help the Earth.”