BLES 5TH Graders Participate in Third Maker Faire

Batesburg-Leesville, SC - As part of Lexington 3’s district-wide focus on expanding its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning experiences this year, Batesburg-Leesville Elementary fifth graders hosted a Maker Faire event on May 23rd. Maker Faire is a family-friendly interactive event that showcases the “maker movement,” a growing global community of “do-it-yourselfers” that is pushing the boundaries of creativity, product development and manufacturing through technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. The BLES Maker Faire offered students hands on, instructional workshops and activities that brought out their engineering skills.

Throughout the day, students participated in a number of different activities including: LEGO Design Challenge, LEGO Bridge Building Challenge ,Speedy Shelter, Drop, Stop, Don’t Pop, Zip Line, Balloon Jousting, Pipe Cleaner Challenge, Confetti Launcher, “Don’t Lose Your Marbles,” Speedy Shelter, Breakout EDU, BLHS Mechatronics Watercraft, Can you CLAY it? and Can you CODE it? Students from Batesburg-Leesville High School’s Mechatronics classes visited B-L Elementary to work with students on constructing surfaces that will hold substantial weight.

At the end of the day, selected students from each fifth grade homeroom were participated in the BLES Recycle Racers’ Race with cars that their class designed with the assistance of B-L High Mechatronics students, Paige Kaiser, Dalton Shealy, Wells Hallman and Emma Bellflower and their teacher, Shane Bryant. The winner of the Racers’ Race was Kayla Motley. Other finalists included: Makayla Barr, Noah Harmon, John Jarrett, Hollis Ruff, and Tanner Rikard.

Recycle Racers’ Race winners included: Makayla Barr, Noah Harmon, John Jarrett, Hollis Ruff, Tanner Rikard and overall winner Kayla Motley. Back row: B-L High Mechatronics students – Paige Kaiser, Dalton Shealy, Wells Hallman and Emma Bellflower

B-L Elementary 5th graders enjoyed participating in the Coding portion of the third annual Maker Faire.