FEB 10, 2016 - MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- Fourth graders scattered throughout the gymnasium, peeking out from behind stacks of cardboard, scissors and glue, eagerly anticipating the approach of noon and an opportunity to showcase their cardboard ingenuity.
The Cardboard Box Challenge, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education event created by the Imagination Foundation and held globally, kicked off at DeLalio Elementary School on Marine Corps Air Station New River Feb. 10.
"We believe that this event will give our students the opportunity to learn valuable 21st century skills like critical thinking, resourcefulness, perseverance and teamwork," said Kara Fernandez, DeLalio Elementary School STEM teacher. "All of which are essential for their future success, whether that be in college or career."
The challenge originated with 9-year-old Caine Monroy four years ago. Monroy’s father owned an automotive shop, in which Monroy created a working arcade out of recyclables. A visiting customer, Nirvan Mullick, saw the arcade and decided to organize a group of individuals to visit the shop and play the games crafted by Monroy.
A video of the event was put online, a video which currently has more than eight million views, and now the challenge is hosted all over the world.
Joshua Norris and Marc Castro, two fourth-grade students participating in the challenge, crafted a game dubbed "Bomb Toss," in which contestants were required to toss plastic bottle caps, or "bombs" onto a long piece of cardboard, with multiple holes – similar to a cornhole board.
Norris said he especially liked the engineering aspect of the event.
"My favorite part is building the games," he said, as he taped strings or "fuses" onto the bottle caps. "Even though it’s hard, it’s a lot of fun."
His teammate, Castro, said he enjoyed the teamwork involved in getting the arcade up and running.
"I love helping my teammates out and being a part of this," he said. "There’s nothing too big and nothing too small to be built."
After a full morning of bringing blueprints to life, the builders prepared for the chance to show off their hard work to attending parents and friends.
Castro said he looked forward to the opportunity to prove just how much potential he and other students possessed.
"I know this school is small, but we can do big things," he said.