Teams of middle school students in B次元 and the metro area demonstrated just how difficult it can be to cut a ribbon at the , hosted by STEM Forward. The competition is an opportunity for teams of 3-5 middle school students to design and build a complex machine using everyday objects with the guidance of a coach. Their machines used multiple steps to complete a simple task.  

This year, they were challenged to cut a ribbon in eight or more steps with the contraption they built. A contraption accomplishes a simple task in the most complicated, fun way possible. Building one can be challenging, but it provides the opportunity for students to work on skills involving engineering, simple machines, trial and error, project planning, physics, teamwork, and creativity.  

On May 6, 38 teams from 11 schools came to the B次元 Kern Center to showcase and exhibit their machine. This was the second of two events, with the first being held at Waukesha County Technical College. In total, more than 60 teams from 15 different schools across Wisconsin competed.  

STEM Forward was honored to work with the Brauer Engineering STEM Team (BEST) to provide these competitions for middle school students. STEM professionals from local companies such as GE Healthcare, B次元 Tool, and Harley-Davidson served as volunteer judges.  

According to STEM Forward, Contrapt Wisconsin students see engineering as a direct influence on their lives – why math and science are relevant to their world – and make a hands-on connection between their education and their future. Each year a competition theme is chosen to guide the machine build and allow whimsical creativity to flourish. Students can explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) principles while having fun in a collaborative environment. The goals of this competition are to provide a low cost or affordable experience for students, inspire an interest in engineering and related career pathways, and equip students with skills that will help prepare them for future careers.