Story by Paige Broeckel   
Only five boats sank as the accelerated physics class took to the PHS pool on Feb 29, racing cardboard-box boats.
  
“The goal for the students is to build the smallest, lightest boat they can and to be able to complete the 100 yards in the pool in the fastest time,” said physics teacher Paul Krzyzaniak.

Seniors Liz Sommer and Kayla Zelm finish second in the boat races. Photo by Paige Broeckel.

  
The students are given one cardboard box, donated by Sargento, and are able to design the boats however they wish.  The only rule is that they have limited amounts of cardboard and duct tape.  One week of class time is given to build the boats.  If additional time is needed, students are allowed to work outside of school.
  
The races, which have been going on for about 12 years, ended with two winners.
  
“In the non-boat category, Andy Larsen won.  In the boat category, Theresa Gielissen and Rachel Glassford were the winners with a score of 1,201, the product of mass in kg with time in seconds,” commented Krzyzaniak.
  
In the past, usually one-third of boats finished the race.  This year, seven out of 12 boats finished.
  
Senior Elizabeth Sommer, who finished second in the boat category with her partner, senior Kayla Zelm, spent the week putting a personal touch to her boat.   “We made our boat, ‘The Ductweed,’ with love and care,” commented Sommer.