Students from all 11 Troup County elementary schools competed in an engineering competition on Nov. 14 at the Georgia International Center in Atlanta. Gold, silver and bronze medals were given in three categories. 

Troup County teams brought home seven out of those nine awards. Charles Freeman, fourth grade teacher at Hollis Hand, was at the school board meeting Thursday night to present more about the program. The competition was part of AWIM, or A World in Motion. AWIM is a STEM curriculum from SAE International, according to Freeman. Kia partners with SAE to bring the curriculum to the school districts. 

“It makes science come to life,” Freeman said. 

The students receive kits with challenges such as building a motorized toy cars, fuel cells and building a jet toy or balloon powered toy car. From the challenges, children learn critical thinking, project management, communication, analysis and collaboration. But most of all, it’s fun. 

One parent told Freeman, “My kid jumps out of bed for two things — Christmas and AWIM.”