On Friday, August 25, the eighth-grade Hele Team ventured to Chapin Forest, where they engaged in team challenges to foster effective communication, critical thinking, and collaboration.

The roughly one hundred students were divided into eight teams, each representing a different biome–Savanna, Arctic, Desert, etc.–and each represented by a different color. Teams competed in eight challenges to accumulate tokens.  Tokens were awarded not only for winning a challenge against an opposing team but also for good communication, leadership, and positive attitudes.  In the end, the Rainforest biome (orange team) was victorious.

Some challenges were physical, like the Penguin March, which required walking in unison on two long boards. Joi Scruggs felt the this challenge was the hardest since it required everyone to walk at the same time.

Some challenges were mental, such as a  challenge called “Island Hopper” in which teams had to get members across a wide expanse using four small wooden squares strategically or another in which students had to stack giant foam ice cubes into a tower.  All challenges, though, required teams to work well together.

The challenge is hosted by the Cleveland Metroparks and aims to educate students about threats to the environment such as pollution and invasive species through the challenges.

Loralei Busta, member of the winning team, felt her team won because they worked well together and stayed calm.  She added, “we didn’t give up, even when it looked like we were going to lose.”

In contrast, Aribah Hossain, whose team struggled throughout the day, said, “It was hard to motivate some students to help and cooperate, especially in the activities that required everybody.”

Jimmy Turcoliveri said the field trip was “cool because of the teamwork” but observed that people not working together made it challenging. Gabi Polin said she enjoyed the competitiveness.

Hele teacher Matt Lubin said, “I love to see the students come together in a totally different environment and situation than inside of school…and just the positive energy that flows through everyone. It’s great to observe.”