Every year, Lakewood High School’s physics and fundamental physics classes participate in the Boat Regatta, an event where students build a cardboard boat and sail it across the school pool. The boat regatta has two events: one in the morning, broadcast on Fox 8 News, and one held after school for students, faculty, and families.
As an option for extra credit, students were invited to dress in creative group costumes at the competition. Physics teachers Jennifer Frend and David Hille organized the event.
On March 4, the morning session began at 6:45 a.m., requiring physics students to arrive by 6:15 a.m. This event was optional for students to earn extra credit points and meet Kenny Crumpton, host of Kickin’ it with Kenny on Fox 8 News. The event started with every heat of boats lined up, and Crumpton interviewing each student on their boat and their chosen group costumes.
Students who participated in the morning regatta were required to build two separate boats. This regatta allowed students to learn how to use their boats and to be in the news, with all of Cleveland seeing their projects.
“It was early, but it was worth it to strategize and get better for the second one,” said Grace Lowmiller, a member of the winning team.
The main regatta was held after school on March 5, allowing more students to attend. Tickets to attend were $1 per person, with proceeds going toward next year’s required materials for the regatta boats. During each heat, sinking boats were recycled, while the four fastest teams advanced to the final race.
The winners of the race were Grace Lowmiller, Alexandra Adamov, Gwendolyn Hongosh and Maya Trempe, with Hongosh and Adamov sailing the boat. The group reached the other side of the pool in 26.4 seconds and dressed up as the mascots in their physics classroom.
Winners of the boat regatta earned extra credit points and free Cedar Point tickets, while the three runner-up teams earned extra credit points and discounted tickets. The physics class is taking a trip to Cedar Point later this year as part of their upcoming rollercoaster project.
The teachers running the boat regatta began organizing and planning last May, reserving the pool for March 5. The event was sponsored by Tavens Packaging and Display Solutions, which donated $1500 and free cardboard to the physics program.
Students received their project packets in January to get a head start on their boat designs. The project requires a lot of math and science, including a blueprint of the dimensions of their boat to ensure it stays afloat and sails across the pool. To stay afloat, designs aimed for a submersion level of 25% to 40%.
“With real-life application, you can see the physics in action,” Frend said.
The students had specific limits on the materials for each boat: six pieces of cardboard and six rolls of tape. Each boat had to be double-layered with cardboard, and tape was allowed only three inches past the seam of each piece.
While most school assignments stay within the classroom, the regatta allows families, students and staff to see the students put their projects to the test.
“It’s become a tradition at Lakewood High School; if you’re going through the physics program, it’s kind of a rite of passage,” Hille said.
