This year’s Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition for middle and high schools in Bullitt County required constructing a roller coaster in less than two hours using specific materials and without parental assistance.

Each roller coaster was required to have one loop, two hills, one curve and a completed Engineering Design Project (EDP) narrative. Teams could earn bonus points for additional hills, loops and curves.

Once complete, teams ran a marble through their design. This marble had to complete the entire track distance, which was easier than it sounds.

Oh, and the first hill did not count as one of the two hills. According to District STEM Challenge Coordinator Jaymee Clemens, the first hill was the proverbial “drop.” In amusement parks, this is when the screaming starts.

Student teams who won their school competition knew there would be five choices on the table, but were unaware of the actual challenge until they arrived at the competition. Working together, the students assembled their creations and tested them over and over.

During judging, some students were disappointed that what worked in practice did not
prevail. For those teams whose marble completed the distance during judging, it was time for hugs and high fives.

North Bullitt High School students, from left, Chase Talbott (kneeling under the roller coaster), Brandon Bowles and Alex Rightsell test out their roller coaster track during the district's annual STEM competition. The middle and high school student teams in Bullitt County had to construct a roller coaster in less than two hours using specific materials and without parental assistance. Photo submitted

North Bullitt High School students, from left, Chase Talbott (kneeling under the roller coaster), Brandon Bowles and Alex Rightsell test out their roller coaster track during the district’s annual STEM competition. The middle and high school student teams in Bullitt County had to construct a roller coaster in less than two hours using specific materials and without parental assistance.
Photo submitted

Bullitt Advanced Math and Science students, from left, Kacee Blair, Samuel Wilbert and Olivia First work on their roller coaster track. Each roller coaster was required to have one loop, two hills, one curve and a completed Engineering Design Project (EDP) narrative. Teams could earn bonus points for additional hills, loops and curves. Photo submitted

Bullitt Advanced Math and Science students, from left, Kacee Blair, Samuel Wilbert and Olivia First work on their roller coaster track. Each roller coaster was required to have one loop, two hills, one curve and a completed Engineering Design Project (EDP) narrative. Teams could earn bonus points for additional hills, loops and curves.
Photo submitted

Discovery School students, from left, Ashlee Blair, Allyson Morgan and Kaytlyn Coleman work on their Engineering Design Project narrative at Bullitt County's annual STEM competition for middle and high school students. Photo submitted

Discovery School students, from left, Ashlee Blair, Allyson Morgan and Kaytlyn Coleman work on their Engineering Design Project narrative at Bullitt County’s annual STEM competition for middle and high school students.
Photo submitted

Hebron Middle School (Bullitt County) students, from left, Ryan Still, Zach Pine and Conner Boley work on the curves of their roller coaster during a STEM competition for middle and high school students in Bullitt County. Photo submitted

Hebron Middle School (Bullitt County) students, from left, Ryan Still, Zach Pine and Conner Boley work on the curves of their roller coaster during a STEM competition for middle and high school students in Bullitt County.
Photo submitted

Bullitt Central High School students Cameron McCoy and Lynzi Huggett work on their roller coaster track. Photo submitted

Bullitt Central High School students Cameron McCoy and Lynzi Huggett work on their roller coaster track.
Photo submitted

North Bullitt High School students, from left, Dakota Centers, Alex Rightsell and Brandon Bowles work on their roller coaster track. Photo submitted

North Bullitt High School students, from left, Dakota Centers, Alex Rightsell and Brandon Bowles work on their roller coaster track.
Photo submitted