For the second year, science teacher Shae Ruiz and 84 of her students made the trip from Hanoverton to put their boats in water off the Guilford Lake Beach.

In her own sophomore year of teaching here, Ruiz explained that she took a lot of inspiration from Laura Elder, who is retired English teacher from South Range.

Elder had done the boat exercise with her students for more than two decades. As Ruiz explained, this particular assignment his standards from math, science, social studies, language arts, art and STEAM. “Students are only allowed to use cardboard and (regular) duct tape,” she said, adding the paint was all oil-based and donated by Dunaway Inc (with) the majority of this project, running off donations from local businesses.

Students are not allowed to use waterproof materials.

United Local seventh-grade students Andy Sanor (in boat) and Eva Marshall venture out through the course Friday morning as a Guilford Lake rescue boat crew looks on. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

The goal is the students have to navigate their team’s boat 50 feet back and forth through the course with the fastest time.

“The main objective of the project is getting the kids to understand content-related concepts through hands-on learning without being told precisely what to do,” Ruiz said, explaining she gives them a lot of creative freedom.

“We try to highlight the importance of social skills that many kids nowadays don’t practice, such as speaking to people on the phone and writing letters,: she said.

Since starting the project two years ago, students have brought in about $2,500, which is then reinvested in the program.

Ultimately, a group named the Duckies were declared victors –consisting of Sanor, Eva Marshall, Morgan Laibe, Jase Crump and Zigler Williams.

From left, Bridget Gruber and Violet Terrill prepare to carry their water logged boat from the shoreline Friday at Guilford Lake Beach. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Ruiz said the Duckies had the fastest time at 1:32 seconds, and their boat stayed together well enough to race not just one but twice.

Braydon Shellenarger assists Bridget Gruber and Violet Terrill get their boat in the water for their heat of the Eagles Exploration Friday morning. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)