‘Green Dolphinator’ wins merit award at nat’l competition

 The Public School System’s entry to the national Real World Design Challenge-the “Green Dolphinator”-was bestowed the competition’s “Against All Odds” aviation merit award in recognition of the team’s hard work in overcoming a difficult situation while still making a respectable showing.

The competition took place last weekend in Washington D.C. and was the first time for the CNMI Team, which included Jill Ann Arada, Jonavelle Cuerdo, Clariza Magat, Marjorie Ann Cuerdo, and Eufemio Feria.

They received the recognition last Saturday with their mentor and teacher John Raulerson and Jeaniffer Cubangbang, PSS instructional technology program coordinator.

Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, in her message to the team, extended her congratulations, saying their latest honor is a significant achievement.

“On behalf of the PSS management, I extend our congratulations to our Marianas High School Aeronautic Dolphins on their recognition at the Real World Design Challenge competition,” Sablan said. “This award is another significant achievement of public education in our region and we are proud of our students.” Sablan also recognized the team’s mentor, Raulerson.

The “Green Dolphinator” emerged winner in both the state and regional design challenge early this year, giving them the right to represent the Pacific region in the prestigious event.

According to Cubangbang, 30 high school teams from across the nation competed in the event at the National 4-H Center in Washington D.C. All teams vied for 11 awards, including the Top 3 overall and eight meritorious awards.

“Judges were overly impressed that, [despite] the obstacles the CNMI team faced in their first year of the RWDC, they persevered and had the tenacity to submit an innovative solution and present this with confidence and enthusiasm,” said Cubangbang.

She quoted one judge as saying: “I am impressed with the CNMI. Competitively ready to roll despite having the disadvantage of traveling for 30 hours through 6,000 miles, presenting enthusiastically while their body clocks says it is midnight in their home town.”

The Top 3 overall winners in the national event were the teams from Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.

The Real World Design Challenge is an annual high school competition for all states and territories that aims to transform the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in the U.S. by providing professional science and engineering and learning resources to students and teachers. The competitors’ main challenge is to develop an aircraft that could fly 200 miles in two hours. This was the first time PSS was invited to the event.