LEAWOOD, Ks. — What’s in a human brain?
If the kids at two schools in the metro are any indication, the ole noggin’ can be filled with award-winning science projects, some of which gained big cash prize for their schools.
There is no lack of big ideas in this group at Leawood Elementary School. This group of fourth-graders in the school’s gifted program just unveiled one worth a lot of money — $50,000 in grant money to be exact.
On Wednesday, the Leawood kids stepped up to claim a big prize. They were one of two schools in the metro to win at the ‘Battle of the Brains’ competition, where fourth-grade students pitched new science and tech ideas to both science city and engineers from Burns and McDonnell.
“I just felt super-excited,” Leawood fourth grader Jacob Metzner said. “It was the best day of my life. It was awesome — like woohoo! We worked so hard at it. It was great that it came into place and we won.”
“We took so long since September or the first few days of school,” Leawood fourth grader Brent Pitts said. “I know we all worked hard.”
Their video proposal in the contest centers around genetics, and ways to teach younger students about medical conditions that are common in families. Inspiration for the idea was right in front of them.
Their primary teacher, Brittani Wilton, contends with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which causes chronic pain in her joints.
“Letting them know I have my own genetic condition, and I’ve had it since I was born really inspired them to look into it further and why these conditions happen,” Wilton said.
No one’s for sure just yet where the $50,000 will be spent, but Ms. Wilton advises us the money can buy a lot of computers that would help everybody in this school. Students tell us winning money is one thing, but there’s also the pride in a job well done.
“The students learned about genetics, but also about being real-life architects and engineers,” Wilton said. “A lot of students don’t get that opportunity.”
Students at Olathe North High School also won $50,000 in grant money, taking home top honors in the high school division of the ‘Battle of the Brains.’
In the end, these youngsters have accomplished something that would make any one proud.
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