LOCAL STUDENTS WIN GRAND PRIZE AT NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR TOY INVENTORS By Ms. Mary McKiernan, Principal - St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School

"Make-A-Splash" Pool Game by "AquaGamers" From St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School in Altamonte Springs Gets Top Award from TOYchallenge 2008 Held in Metro Washington

St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School students Ethan, Anna, Sarah, Lauren, Shandy, and Tucker, known collectively as the team AquaGamers, were grand prize winners of the Sally Ride Science TOYchallenge™ 2008 Nationals at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, held in Alexandria, Va., on May 17th.

The team, led by teacher/coach Deborah Gordon and assisting coach June Smith, was one of hundreds of teams of students from across the country that participated in TOYchallenge, a fun-fueled toy- and game-design competition that gives kids the chance to step out of their classrooms and develop their engineering and design skills by creating their dream toy.

The AquaGamers attend Grade 6 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School in Altamonte Springs, Fl. (www.smmschool.org). They presented to the judges at the TOYchallenge Nationals a game they designed for the pool. Called "Make-A-Splash”, their invention, which includes waterproof cards and other game pieces created by the students, is a floating board that encourages players to learn pool safety as they practice swimming.

"It was one of the most exciting experiences I have ever had," summed up Tucker of Altamonte Springs about the win at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

"I still can't believe that something created by us won a national competition," said AquaGamer Anna, who lives in Maitland.

The live competition included 111 finalist teams. As Grand Prize winners, the students earned round trip tickets anywhere in the country from sponsor Southwest Airlines.

"The students were really excited about the idea of a toy for the pool, because they knew the judges would be looking for something unique. For teams from Florida, it was a natural idea," said teacher Deborah Gordon. "But they also were challenged to make it fun and make it work in the water. They put a lot of creative thought into Make-A-Splash." Deborah Gordon teaches the school's gifted students program.

The AquaGamers brainstormed several ideas for their game before coming up with the winning design that included recycling a giant plastic trash can lid, water bottles and bottle caps to create the main board piece. Then they devised questions on pool safety and challenges for beginning to advance swimmers. Played in the pool, swimmers get the answer correct or complete a challenge to advance around the board and make it first to the winner's circle.

"I enjoyed having Mrs. Gordon as our coach. She made sure we were working hard and having fun," said Sarah of Altamonte Springs.