Three family teams are visible, with each one crowding around supplies like cardboard pieces, popsicle sticks, and tape.

Families Unleash Creativity in Statewide Engineering Challenge

October 30, 2024

This fall, families across Pennsylvania are showcasing their engineering skills and contributing to a statewide food drive as they participate in the Engineering Against the Elements competition organized by the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School’s Polytechnic Academy.

Participants are using common household items to build structures that may withstand natural disasters. Families continue to bring non-perishable food items for donation to assist communities in Pennsylvania.

“We’re thrilled to see families come together to learn and innovate while also giving back to their communities,” said Eric Woelfel, the Deputy Chief Operations Officer at the cyber charter school.

Students and their parents are constructing the following:

The tallest skyscraper
A beach house that can withstand a hurricane
A hospital strong enough to support a helicopter on the helipad
A structure that can withstand an earthquake

The program will be held from now through early November at locations across the state. The program has taken place at 11 of PA Cyber’s locations throughout the state.

The regional office that collects the most non-perishable food items receives a trophy in recognition of their generosity.

Two boys work to create a tower out of tubes, tape, and cardboard. — Who can build the tallest tower?

Parents work with their children to build a structure out of cardboard.

Man holding boxes stands in front of large truck that says "Project Share" on the side of it. — Project Share in Carlisle was one of the nonprofits benefitting from the statewide food drive.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jennie Harris / jennie.harris@pacyber.org

ABOUT PA CYBER

Serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is the most experienced online public school in the Commonwealth. PA Cyber’s online learning environments, personalized instructional methods, and curricula choices connect Pennsylvania students and families with state-certified and highly qualified teachers and rich academic content aligned to state standards. Founded in 2000, PA Cyber is headquartered in Midland (Beaver County) and maintains a network of support offices throughout the state. As a public school, PA Cyber is open for enrollment to any school-age child residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and does not charge tuition to students or families.

The box contains many canned items, boxed items such as pasta, and bags of food.

The Harrisburg Regional Office received an award for the most items collected for the food drive.