Noah used wood to build the Ark. Thomas Andrews used steel for the Titanic. Now, Team RUSH is using cardboard and duct tape for their boats.
The Clarkston High School students are hosting their first Rush Regatta, Aug. 23, at Deer Lake Beach. Hoping to raise $5,000, so far they’ve collected $3,000.
‘I think this project is fabulous,? said Kyle Hughes, Clarkston High teacher and team advisor.
Their goals are to have a fun summer project, learn the soft skills of business, including marketing, networking, cold calling, e-mail etiquette, and fundraising, and go through the design process with a difficult challenge, Hughes said.
They’ve already succeeded in all three goals, she said.
‘For those who’ve gotten into it, they’re having a ton of fun. For others, it’s like pulling teeth, because they got behind, which is time management. Time management has been the biggest thing that they’ve learned,? she said. ‘Once they get started, they realize it’s cool, then they get mad at themselves for procrastinating for so long, but it’s summer time so I understand that wholeheartedly.?
Each team will be required to build their boat out of corrugated cardboard and duct tape. The only exceptions are oars, propulsion system, and steering devices. All boats must be human or nature-powered.
Awards or points will be given for ‘Engineering Excellence? and ‘Creativity of Design or Decoration.? The boat with the fastest combined time after two races will be declared the winner. Points can also come from sponsorship.
Troy Hughes, Kyle’s son, and Andy Reid are building what Troy calls a ‘Kayaking box?
‘What my partner and I have done is we have said ‘hey, we know our boat is going to sink, so we might as well fund raise as much money as possible,? said Troy. ‘So we’ve talked to all kinds of businesses and we’re doing pretty well.?
Troy said he stresses to sponsors the work Team Rush does ‘all over the place.?
‘Last year we did 60 events, 60 events are 60 different places that your company is going to get advertised at,? he said. ‘It’s only a $100 to get your company on a banner. You’re paying a small amount for so much more.?
Some of the events are Tons of Trucks, Craig Greenfield Triathlon, SCAMP, scooping ice cream for Concerts in the Park, Fourth of July and Labor Day parades, and Taste of Clarkston.
Michael Schreiber and his partner Josh Nelson are building a Pontoon boat. Schreiber said Kinetic Systems bike shop donated a bike. They plan on using the tires for the water wheels and the bike pedals for steering.
‘I think they’re all going to sink,” said Schreiber with a laugh. ‘I think it’s going to be really funny to watch because I know at least one person is going to sink and I’m not real sure we’re going to float.?
Devon Rehm and her partner Andrew Whitley are building a canoe. Rehm built a scale model canoe and has been testing different paints to waterproof her boat. She said the project has been ‘interesting.?
‘It will be fun to watch, definitely, but it will be accomplished,? said Rehm. ‘Someone will do it without sinking.?
Matt Huhta said he is behind on his project because of vacation, but plans on building a pontoon boat.
‘I think it’s a fun creative way for our team members to get some support from the local community,? he said.
‘We want the community to see that these kids are going to make a change in this world and we want to see community rally behind them,? said Hughes ‘We want people to see it’s fun to be smart, it’s fun to be competitive and pull this all together.?
All donations raised will help the team travel to various competitions and to Atlanta, Ga., for the FIRST Robotics World Championship, noted Hughes.
‘Team RUSH wants to come into the community and get people excited about what we do. This community loves football, they love basketball, and I do too,? she said. ‘The community loves to get involved in these giant sporting events and we would like to get the community that excited about what we’re doing.?
Interested in sponsoring the Rush Regatta? Call Kyle Hughes at 248-623-3670 or e-mail her at hugheskh1@clarkston.k12.mi.us.