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Henry County GA Model Water Tower Competition

While the current pandemic has caused events at the Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) to be held virtually for the most part, the annual Georgia Model Water Tower Competition still brought out the best engineering designs among Henry County Middle School students vying to build award-winning model water towers.

The annual competition was held virtually on Nov. 5-6, with participants dropping off their model water towers at the HCWA headquarters prior to these dates, when the Authority’s water professionals began judging those entries submitted by local students from McDonough, Austin Road, and Locust Grove Middle Schools. Following tests for structural efficiency, hydraulic efficiency, and design ingenuity, HCWA water professionals then held virtual interviews with each contestant to determine this year’s winners. 

“We were very pleased with the quality of water towers submitted by our contestants, as well as the enthusiasm and participation by their teachers who helped make the event a success,” says Lindsey Sanders, HCWA Environmental Compliance Coordinator. “We might be looking at some future water professionals among these very talented middle school students.”

After much deliberation by HCWA judges, the Authority extends congratulations to the following winners of the 2020 Henry County, Georgia Model Water Tower Competition:

* First place prize of a $300 gift card goes to Carter Ivey, a student of Ms. Goddard and Ms. Collier at Locust Grove Middle School, for his “Up, Up & Away” water tower. Carter also won another $25 gift certificate for the “Most Artistic” Award.

* Second place prize of a $200 gift card goes to Caeden Henry, a student of Ms. Sanders at Austin Road Middle School, for his “The Pumpkin” water tower.

* Third place prize of a $100 gift card goes to Daniella Ramos, a student of Ms. Ellison at McDonough Middle School, for her “Sorting Hat” water tower. Daniella also won another $25 gift certificate for the “Outside The Box Imagination” Award.

* The “Best Engineering Design” Award and a $25 gift certificate went to Abby Crowe, a student of Ms. Goddard and Ms. Collier at Locust Grove Middle School, for her “HCWA Tower” entry.

The mission of the Georgia Model Water Tower Competition is to make students more aware of the importance of reliable drinking water, while introducing them to rewarding (career) opportunities available in the water profession. 

The Georgia Model Water Tower Competition challenges Middle School students to design and build water towers, with specific size and height requirements, from any materials. However, students are rewarded for using creative designs and recycled, everyday household items.

The HCWA hosts its Georgia Model Water Tower Competition in partnership with the Georgia Section of the American Water Works Association (GAWWA) and the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP).

Henry County teachers have praised this event because it provides opportunities for experiential learning of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) curricula.

“The students who participate in this event are getting real-world experience working in the water industry, since their projects require them to address the same challenges we face every day as water professionals,” says Lindy Farmer, HCWA General Manager. “This (the Competition) is a great opportunity for us to share our mission and role in the community with students, parents and teachers, who also are customers and stakeholders in our water utility. 

 

Caption(s) for photo(s) from top to bottom:

Carter Ivey, from Locust Grove Middle School, shows off his First Place and “Most Artistic” award-winning tower at the 2020 Henry County, Georgia Model Water Tower Competition.

Caeden Henry, from Austin Road Middle School, took home Second Place at the 2020 Henry County, Georgia Model Water Tower Competition.

Daniella Ramos, from McDonough Middle School, shows off her Third Place and “Outside the Box Imagination” award-winning tower at the 2020 Henry County, Georgia Model Water Tower Competition.

Abby Crowe, from Locust Grove Middle School, shows off her “Best Engineering Design” award-winning tower at the 2020 Henry County, Georgia Model Water Tower Competition.

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Media contact:            

Chris Wood, Ph.D.

P: 770-757-1681

E: chris@jwapr.com OR john.wood@gcsu.edu

 

HCWA contact:           

Lindsey Sanders, Environmental Compliance Coordinator

P: 678-583-3809

E: lindsey.sanders@hcwa.com