Hamilton Middle School students enjoy Rain Gutter Regatta
Photo Provided Jesse Daubert, environmental scientist at Pickering Associates, makes an announcement Wednesday to Hamilton Middle School students during the third annual Rain Gutter Regatta.
Photo Provided Seventh-graders at Hamilton Middle School use wind power, their own breath, to move boats built with recycled materials during Pickering Associates’ third annual Rain Gutter Regatta.
Photo Provided Jesse Daubert, environmental scientist at Pickering Associates, makes an announcement Wednesday to Hamilton Middle School students during the third annual Rain Gutter Regatta.
Photo Provided Seventh-graders at Hamilton Middle School use wind power, their own breath, to move boats built with recycled materials during Pickering Associates’ third annual Rain Gutter Regatta.
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PARKERSBURG -- Hamilton Middle School seventh-graders put their design skills to the test Wednesday in the third annual Rain Gutter Regatta.
The event, which is sponsored by the school's Partner in Education Pickering Associates, focuses on recycling, creative problem solving and team work.
Jesse Daubert, environmental scientist at Pickering Associates, spoke with students about the importance of recycling and how our decisions as consumers affect the environment.
"Students need to be aware of some truths about recycling and our wastefulness as a society," said Daubert. "The Rain Gutter Regatta is a great place to share that message and encourage students to think critically and creatively about what they can do to help."
The students worked in teams to design and build a boat using only recycled materials and masking tape. Pickering Associates provided recycled plastics, cardboard and paper borrowed from the Parkersburg Recycling Center.
After the students built their boats, they raced them two at a time down the rain gutter, using only "wind power" (their breath) to power their vessels. Afterward, all materials were returned to the Recycling Center.
The goal is to have students walk away with a greater understanding of recycled materials and the many ways they can be used.
"We love seeing how creative the students are with their designs," said Sarah Arnold, director of marketing and sales for Pickering Associates. "You can see the pride each team has in their design when they explain why they believe their boat will win."
The Rain Gutter Regatta was the last scheduled Partner in Education activity for this year. The company plans to work with Hamilton Principal Kevin Campbell and school counselor Myla Kreinik to schedule activities for next spring.