The ingenuity of some Kennesaw Elementary students has won the school a national award and $1,000.
Valerie King's second-grade built “Little General” — a locomotive model made out of 1,120 recycled milk cartons.
“I had to stand back and watch my kiddos fail [so] they learn,” the teacher King said in a press release.
There were only six schools nationwide to win the "Made By Milk" construction contest hosted by Evergreen Packaging, which makes paper goods.
"The carton creations that these students dreamed up really highlighted how creativity, teamwork and a lot of effort can come together in one inspiring project,” said Katie Simmons, marketing manager for Evergreen Packaging.
It’s modeled after and named for “The General,” which participated in the Great Locomotive Chase that happened during the Civil War. That locomotive is at the Southern Museum in Kennesaw.
It took six weeks not only to make the locomotive but to also make posters soliciting donations while learning about recycling.
One of the students, Tyler, has a better idea of how to adapt in the middle of a project.
“I learned that you always need to be willing to change the design even when you think you’re doing what you want,” he told the school system. “It might be better with changes or what you’re doing doesn’t really work so you need to change it.”
Another student is now a better team member.
“Sometimes when you work with people, you need to listen and not just talk because they might have good ideas,” said Cullen.
The class is still figuring out how it’ll better its classroom with the prize money.
You can find information about your school, such as test scores, graduation rates and school climate rating at the Ultimate Atlanta School Guide.
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