Congratulations to the winners of Pioneer Elementary’s 3rd annual Shark Tank: 5th graders Briella, Arwen, and Emma, with their invention, the Bubble Bee. Shark Tank is a 3D Print and Design Competition that all Pioneer 4th and 5th grade students were invited to enter, after completing a unit on 3D print and design. Students created an invention to solve a problem in the world, big or small, and then learned 3D design skills in Tinkercad designing and editing their prototypes.

Out of 47 entries, students and staff voted for their favorite invention, and five finalists were selected to present at the Shark Tank assembly. The winning invention was the Bubble Bee, which is made of a biodegradable bubble wrap that can be placed into a garden or yard, to spread seeds and create flowers for bees to help with pollination.

“Similar to the Shark Tank show, our panel of sharks responded to student pitches and marketing videos through questions, comments and a final score,” said Innovation teacher Justin Towner. “We celebrated the students' innovation and creativity and declared Briella, Arwen and Emma as our Pioneer Innovators  of the Year.”

The other four student finalists and their 3D inventions were as follows:

• Mackenzie, Etta and Isla with The Perfect Bookmark
• Aria with the Internet Chip
• Zane and Cade with The Sporfe
• Sophia and Grace with the Doggy Beach Chair

Guest judges - sharks - were Superintendent Krestin Bahr, School Board Director Lori Glover, Executive Director of Learning and Innovation Kris Hagel, Big Nate's Trading Cards Owner Nathan Ullevig, and Executive Director of the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance Carrianne Ekberg. Thank you to Big Nate’s Trading Cards, Round Table Pizza and Ocean 5 for donating prizes for the five finalists. 

Principal Stephanie Strader congratulated the winners and said, “I hope these students and all the students who participated in designs continue dreaming of what could be, to better the world around us. The innovative mindsets, passion, perseverance, and courage of this group is amazing.”

Watch Briella, Arwen and Emma's video: