ST. PAUL - École du Sommet had three teams participate in the first ever Skills Alberta Cardboard Chariot Race. Typically, students travel to Edmonton to take part in a cardboard boat race, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new twist was put on the event.
Two junior high teams and one senior high team took part from EDS.
“This race replaced the traditional cardboard boat race that had become a tradition for us,” said EDS principal Alain Mahé. “Each team was given cardboard, tape, wood dowels and a week to construct a cardboard chariot.”
The races took place on Oct. 27, all from the comfort of school gymnasiums across the province.
“All the participating schools connected to a live video conference hosted by Skills Alberta and raced head-to-head against another team virtually,” explained Mahé. Teams were scored based on design, construction and their performance in the race.
The EDS junior high teams finished in 12th and 13th place, while the senior high team finished in seventh place.
Ecole Dr. Bernard Brosseau School in Bonnyville also had two junior high teams compete on Oct. 27.
Nelson Heights Middle School in Cold Lake also had two junior high teams take part on Oct. 28. One of Nelson Height’s teams also won the “Chariot’s of Fire” award, which was the people’s choice award for favourite chariot, according to Victoria Anderson with Skills Alberta.
Over 270 students took part in this year’s virtual races.
“The Cardboard Chariot Race promotes open ended problem solving and teamwork, allowing students to develop skills in areas like design, research & presentation, principles of structure, strength, rigidity, friction and direction control,” said Chris Browton, Executive Director, Skills Canada Alberta. “Skills Canada Alberta is committed to providing the same level of education and skill building in our programs as we modify the nature of how we host them under our current global circumstances.”
