Goodrich- Tech Effects is going global, but they could use a little help.
Four fourth- and fifth-grade students will be representing the school’s team of ten May 23-27 at the global level of competition in Knoxville, Tenn. But it will cost them about $2,500 just to make the trip to compete.
The program is still in its inaugural year in the district, as a new branch of Destination Imagination.
‘Tech Effects is a technical-based program and each year they get a new challenge to create something else that has to do with science engineering and programming,? said Coach Cindy Smith.
Chris Harris, of Goodrich, said his son, Jacob, is benefitting through his involvement in the program.
‘Jacob enjoys the program quite a bit. It’s not about competition, it’s about creativity’get the kids motivated and thinking along those lines of creativity,? said Harris. ‘The whole program is science and technology-based motivation for the kids. The kids learn independent design without any input from the parents.?
Smith added the Goodrich team will be the only Michigan team in the competition.
But the price of travel is costly, leaving Smith and her team to come up with creative fund-raising efforts to ensure the kids can make the trip.
Smith has done everything from having a Baskin-Robbins ice cream event where, when customers presented a coupon along with their purchase, 15 percent of the proceeds were donated to the team, to collecting bottle return slips from the community.
However, the team still needs help from the community. Smith said bottle return slips are being collected at all Goodrich schools to benefit the team. Additionally, Cottage Inn Pizza gift certificates are being sold by the team.
With hopes of expanding the program in years to come, Smith said she hopes the program will find a sponsor to ease the burden of cost.
‘I’d like to expand the program now that the kids have an understanding of what we’ve done. We could actually hold rallies in our community so the kids wouldn’t have to travel so far,? said Smith.
Harris said the program is well worth the community’s investment.
‘The kids are getting to meet the other kids and getting to be familiar with other kids? you see the personal growth with each child. Instead of having to be told what to do, they’re learning for themselves,? said Harris.
‘It’s a worthwhile cause,? said Harris. ‘It’s really all about the kids.?