AP Physics C students competed in M-A’s annual boat race at the pool on Friday afternoon. Friends and family gathered for the school’s highly anticipated cardboard boat race, where groups of students attempted to make it across the pool in a series of challenges to win a prize.
With a cheering audience lined up on the bleachers, the event blended science and school spirit into another unforgettable race.
Each of the 10 teams handmade a unique boat from cardboard and duct tape. Some featured sleek designs and drawn details, while others embraced humor and had fun patterns. Each team brought their own flair, not just in construction but also in naming. Creative team and boat names, like team Subway and their boat Sandwich, reflected students’ design choices.
The competition consisted of two challenges. The Flag Challenge was to paddle across the pool and back as quickly as possible, and the Crossing Challenge tested students’ ability to complete as many laps as they could within 20 minutes before their vessel sank. Multiple boats gave out as soon as they touched water, but many others made it across the pool.
Anticipation grew as boat after boat gave way to the water. Throughout the race, live music performed by students kept the energy high. In only a few minutes, two boats had pulled ahead of the others, and the Flag Challenge ended in a tight finish, with The Edmund Gerald securing their first win.
Senior Gabriel Wright, a sailor for The Edmund Gerald’s crew, shared his team’s strategy in getting ahead of the other racers. “We built a full-scale prototype boat and oars and tested it in a pool,” he said. Wright appreciated his team’s dedication to coming up with a boat that was stable, fast, and accurate. “We were aiming for the Frequency prize,” he said.
Schrodinger’s Boat, designed by team Mass Afloat, stayed strong even after the 20 minutes ended. But the race wasn’t just about keeping the boat alive—it was about speed and stamina. Despite being the last boat standing, Mass Afloat fell short in the number of completed laps. The Edmund Gerald secured their second win, managing 11 crossings before sinking.
Senior Sara Djafari, a designer of Mass Afloat, praised her team’s work in reinforcing the strength and durability of their vessel. “We made a really well-built, strong boat,” she said. “We double-layered everything and sealed all the cracks with tape. Our only flaw was that we ended up making it too tall so it was kind of hard to row.”
This tradition, a memorable part of M-A’s end-of-year celebrations, was made by former physics teacher Jeff DeCurtins. His idea of combining physics principles with a fun, hands-on challenge has become an event that students continue to look forward to each year.
