By Rachel Phillips
Physics students across the district gathered at Westminster High School last Sunday to attempt to conquer the most daunting challenge physics students face each year: crossing the pool in homemade boats.
In order to construct the boats, students were only allowed to use certain materials. Schools provided some materials, such as wood (the amount of wood distributed by the weight of each student) as well as the paper to cover the wood. Students were allowed to use any wood glue or epoxy glue, but not gorilla glue, a very strong adhesive that pollutes the pool.
Students arrived sporadically over the course of the event. Many were offered extra credit for just attempting to cross, and additional credit for successful attempts.
Physics student Jeanette Nguyen (’13) said, “It was really challenging, but definitely rewarding. I felt amazing when my boat made it all the way across.”
The experience is usually a lot of fun for everyone involved. Even the students supervising and taking notes enjoyed themselves.
Andrea Tieu (’13), who worked as a record taker for Mrs. Dickinson, said, “It was so much fun to watch all the boats cross. So many made it, but so many others sunk in the dock. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to build a boat!”
This event will likely remain for years of physics students still to come.
