SAN JOSE, Calif., April 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The entire
Valley Christian Junior High (VCJH) student body has spent the past
month designing and building their very own Rube Goldberg Machine,
one that they hope will launch them into history with a GUINNESS
WORLD RECORDS title.
"These junior highers are building a very complex piece of
machinery," VCJH faculty Nancy
Franklin says. "It's incredibly difficult work, but the
learning that's going on is also incredible. To see these kids and
the faculty coming together to get this done is inspirational."
The current record title is held by Scandiweb from Riga, Latvia, whose 412-step Rube Goldberg
Machine kicked off their Christmas tree lighting ceremony in 2016.
For VCJH's record-attempt, it'll be all-hands on deck to complete
their 450-step machine.
"Our entire student body is participating in the building
process," VCJH Principal Brian
Clemons explains. "It was important for us to not only break
the record, but also get all 687 students involved and excited
about STEM."
The event will take place April
25th, with the whole school cheering on the
machine as it sets off a continuous chain of linked experiments
that will eventually release balloons from the ceiling. With so
many moving pieces, the students know they are facing an uphill
battle, but it's one they are excited to take on.
"Even though it's hard, the challenge is what makes it fun,"
eighth grader Nathan says. "I'm learning how to build and put
together machines, and also teamwork and new ways of seeing
things."
An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator will preside over
the event to inform VCJH if they were successful in breaking the
record, but Principal Clemons says they will celebrate either
way.
"The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt is what's
important, and we hope it encourages other schools to try something
similar. We'd love a little friendly competition," Clemons laughs,
"Ultimately, we want to send the message that engineering is for
every student."
Regardless of their success, VCJH knows it'll be a day for the
record books.
About Valley Christian Schools
Valley Christian Schools (VCS) is a
private, K-12 Christian school located in the heart of Silicon
Valley in San Jose, California.
VCS provides rigorous, college-preparatory programs while equipping
students to lead, serve, and impact their communities and the
world.
Press Contact
Brian Rhea
(408) 234-1496
brian@rheacom.com
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SOURCE Valley Christian Schools