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Engineering students navigate challenges for inaugural cardboard regatta

four boys from the winning boat team stand poolside with their trophies

Warwick Valley High School students recently put engineering principles and rowing techniques (not to mention some swimming skills) to the test during an engaging, hands-on STEM project that culminated in the Inaugural WVHS Cardboard Boat Regatta!

In this fun and innovative STEM unit, WVHS teacher Pat Reiser challenged his engineering students to work in teams to design, build, and race a functional boat using only cardboard and duct tape, applying a structured engineering design process. Additional supplies were allowed for decoration, as long as they did not affect the vessel's buoyancy or hydrodynamics.

See a full gallery of pics from the design, build and race stages of this project below the story!  

The project began in the engineering space, with collaboration and creativity. Students formed teams, selected a captain, and developed a unique theme and team identity that influenced both the boat’s design and race-day costumes. From there, teams moved through each step of the engineering design process—understanding the challenge, researching existing designs, brainstorming solutions, prototyping with aluminum foil, testing buoyancy, refining ideas, and ultimately constructing a full-size boat. The experience closely mirrored real-world engineering, where testing, iteration, and problem-solving are essential.

The image shows a cluttered workspace with several people working on various tasks, surrounded by various supplies and materials.

“This kind of project really brings engineering to life for students,” said Mr. Reiser. “They’re not just learning concepts in isolation, they're solving real-world problems, they’re applying physics, they're protoyping and testing, and they're having a great time! Watching these kids troubleshoot, redesign, and ultimately succeed -- and especially seeing so much enthusiastic teamworkwork going on -- has been incredibly rewarding.”

Projects like this underscore the importance of STEM education, particularly engineering courses, at the high school level. Students applied principles of physics and mathematics while managing constraints such as materials, stability, and even propulsion. There were definitely some unique ideas for oars on display once the crews hit the pool! Equally important, they strengthened critical soft skills including collaboration, communication, creativity, and perseverance—skills that are vital in college and in careers, whichever awaits them after graduation.

The project culminated in the highly anticipated Inaugural WVHS Cardboard Regatta held in the high school natatorium on December 18!

On race day, the pool space was packed by students and faculty who had turned out to cheer on the racers. Twelve teams competed in three rounds of competition, with the winner from each race advancing into the next bracket. Each boat carried one driver from one end of the pool to the other. The event delivered both impressive engineering feats and some good spirited laugh-out-loud moments. Some boats cruised smoothly and quickly from one end of the pool to the other, while others slowly—some suddenly—sank, providing hilarious entertainment for all in attendance.

A group of young people, likely students, are gathered around a floating structure in a swimming pool, appearing to be engaged in some kind of activity or experiment.

Here are how the teams lined up for the first round of races...

  1. Banana Boat
  2. Silver Surfers
  3. Speedy Spiders
     
  4. Candy Crush
  5. Beach Boys
  6. AMG Petronas
     
  7. CJ2
  8. Team Dandelion
  9. Cardboard Crew
     
  10. USS Eagle
  11. Team Bath Tub
  12. Titanic

Don't worry... no spoilers here! We won't give away the name of the winning team (although they are pictured above). Please enjoy all of the sopping suspense of the regatta here, by wathcing the official race broadcast! The video was student-produced by WVHS teacher Dan Cecconie's video production students for Warwick Valley TV.

WVTV COVERAGE

The WVHS Inaugural Carboard Regatta was a blast for everyone who atteneded, and an outstanding classroom experience for the engineering students involved. They learned firsthand how thoughtful engineering leads to success and how setbacks offer valuable lessons. The project and its culminating event celebrated hands-on learning at its best, and exemplified how Warwick Valley’s STEM programs inspire curiosity, confidence, and real-world problem-solving skills in students.

PROJECT GALLERY
The image shows a group of people, including a person in a wheelchair, gathered in what appears to be a classroom or workshop setting, with various equipment and supplies visible in the background.
A yellow cardboard box filled with various colored pencils sits on a purple chair in a cluttered room with various equipment and furniture visible in the background.
The image shows a gray cardboard box with a handwritten sign that says %22E-Scrap $50%22 sitting on a table in what appears to be a workshop or storage area, with various electronic equipment and devices visible in the background.
A yellow triangular structure labeled %22Banana Boat%22 sits on a wooden surface, with a cluttered background of various objects and furniture.
A cardboard box labeled %22C2%22 sits on a table surrounded by other boxes and furniture in what appears to be a cluttered room or storage area.
A cardboard sign reading %22Cardboard Crew%22 is propped up in a cluttered workshop-like environment, surrounded by various tools and equipment.
A red and white striped popcorn box sits on a table in front of a large industrial machine in the background.
The image shows a large, partially assembled cardboard structure in various shades of red, blue, and white, with a bicycle visible in the foreground.
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A person is seen in a swimming pool, sitting on a yellow and green flotation device, with several other people visible in the background.
A swimming pool with people in the water and spectators on the sidelines, surrounded by colorful flags and banners.
A large indoor swimming pool with colorful flags and banners hanging on the walls, and people swimming and standing around the pool area.
A young girl is being assisted by several people as she enters a pool, with a group of onlookers visible in the background.
A group of people, some wearing swimsuits, are gathered around a pool, with one person sitting in a small boat-like structure in the water.
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The image shows a group of people, some of whom are standing around a pool, while one person is sitting in a cardboard box in the pool, holding a sign that says %22Crew%22.
The image shows several people in yellow shirts participating in what appears to be a swimming or water-based activity, with a pool and spectators visible in the background.
The image shows a group of people gathered around a pool, with some individuals sitting in a blue box-like structure in the water.
The image shows a group of people sitting on the edge of a swimming pool, some of them reading books while others appear to be relaxing. In the background, there are colorful banners and flags hanging on the walls.
A group of young people, likely students, are gathered around a floating structure in a swimming pool, appearing to be engaged in some kind of activity or experiment.
The image shows two young men carrying a large piece of equipment, likely a speaker or sound system, while standing near a swimming pool in what appears to be a school or athletic facility.
A group of young men, some shirtless, standing together in what appears to be a classroom or training facility, with various equipment and supplies visible in the background.
Three individuals are working together to assemble or move a large cardboard box in what appears to be an office or workspace setting.
A dimly lit interior space with wooden furniture and shelves, visible through a window overlooking a forested outdoor scene.
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A group of people, some wearing hoodies and jackets, gathered in what appears to be an engineering or workshop space, with various equipment and signage visible in the background.
The image shows a display of a Titanic-themed exhibit, with a large model of the Titanic ship in the foreground and various props and signage in the background.
The image shows a cluttered workspace with several people working on various tasks, surrounded by various supplies and materials.
A wooden structure resembling the Titanic ship, with yellow tubes protruding from the top, sits on a table surrounded by various objects in the background.