Bardstown, KY | May 22, 2025 — With cardboard, duct tape, and a bold vision, students from Bullitt Lick Middle School (BLMS) launched more than just handmade boats into the water... they launched a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and real-world learning.
The school’s First Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, held at the Bardstown City Pool, was the culminating event of a multi-week Authentic Learning Project developed by the science department. The event challenged students to design, build, and race watercrafts using only cardboard and duct tape, and then to test their designs in a full-on regatta. The project was equal parts engineering challenge and team-building triumph.
Each team of 3–5 students built boats that met rigorous guidelines: minimum of two “sailors” per boat, strict material limitations, and size specifications to ensure safe, fair competition. But this was no ordinary science experiment. It was a celebration of innovation, perseverance, and performance.
“The creativity here was astounding!” said Mrs. Clark, a BLMS teacher, while students described the event as “the best day of the year” and “a blast”.
Real Learning, Real Stakes
This regatta wasn’t just about fun in the sun. It was a dynamic demonstration of the BCPS Graduate Profile competencies, bringing to life what it means to be:
An Innovative Problem Solver — Students researched buoyancy, tested materials, and refined designs based on performance feedback.
A Productive Collaborator — Working in diverse teams, they built trust, delegated tasks, and supported one another from concept to launch.
A Self-Directed Navigator — The multi-week timeline included checkpoints, float tests, and impound deadlines, requiring time management and self-motivation.
An Effective Communicator — Students pitched ideas, presented their designs, and adapted messaging for judges and peers.
A Mastery Learner — Core science concepts were applied in new contexts, from fluid dynamics to structural engineering.
A Community Contributor — Teams cheered one another on, modeled sportsmanship, and left the pool better than they found it, adhering to cleanup protocols.
When STEM Meets Spirit
Beyond the stopwatch and the splash zone, teams were also recognized for creativity and character. Awards like The Titanic Award (given for the most spectacular shipwreck) emphasized the value of courage and fun in the face of failure.
Outfits, themes, and spirited chants transformed the regatta into a festival of learning. From the S.S. Duckies to jungle-themed rafts, the student-led designs turned heads and sparked conversation about what school can look like when learning is authentic and joyful.
A District Moving Forward
The Cardboard Boat Regatta is a proud reflection of Bullitt County Public Schools’ commitment to reimagining education through Authentic Learning Experiences. It connects classroom learning to real-world application while honoring the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of BCPS families.
“This event is a showcase of the future of learning. One that prioritizes not just scores, but skills that last a lifetime,” said Dr. Jesse Bacon, BCPS Superintendent.
Bullitt Lick Middle School is proud to be #MovingForward, proving that when students are given the tools, trust, and time to lead, they’ll sail far beyond expectations.