Comets Soar to Victory in the First-Ever STEAM Yard Showdown

Tension and excitement filled the room as 5th graders from Panama-Buena Vista Union School District (PBVUSD) and Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) came together for the final challenge of Do the Math’s inaugural STEAM Yard Showdown Championship at the STEAM Yard Tuesday.

In the championship round, the four teams — the Comets, Knights, Lightning, and Sharks — took on one last fast-paced challenge: building a catapult with limited time and materials to score as many points as possible. 

Cheers, gasps, and last-minute design tweaks kept the room buzzing until the final countdown. When the countdown ended and the points were tallied, the Comets were crowned as the first-ever STEAM Yard Showdown Champions!

“It feels amazing and kind of scary at the same time,” said Alani, a student from PBVUSD, excited after the win. “I really wish that the other contestants here don’t feel discouraged and get to win another round next year.”

The competition may have ended, but the spark of innovation and desire for another chance of winning the STEAM Yard Stanley — also known as the “Cushine Cup” — hasn’t. 

Catch all the action from the grand finale HERE — and get ready for more hands-on excitement when the STEAM Yard Showdown returns next spring.