Students Challenge Jesus at his own Sea of Galilee game by strolling across the college pool. Photos By Viandy Gonzalez
Her students insist Dr. Raga Bakhiet walks on water, but the hard-working director of MESA said they are all wet.
Well… not all of them.
Teams of San Diego County students competed in the 14th Annual Walk On Water challenge and some of them actually did. Wearing odd but buoyant shoes engineered from recyclable material, students tried to make it across the college pool without falling in. Bakhiet said the event is an effort to encourage secondary school and college students to innovate and problem solve.
Walk on Water helps students expand their knowledge of math and science while having some serious fun, Bakhiet said.
“These are all physics and mathematical theories, so (students) are really learning how to use their critical thinking abilities,” she said. “At the same time, (they are) having a lot of fun and learning to interact with one another.”
First to successfully make it across the pool was a group of seventh graders from Discovery Charter Elementary School of Chula Vista. Raymond Modregon, 12, the pilot of the team, said he was very proud of his group. Bryce Garrod, Modregon’s teammate, said that despite encountering some obstacles, they were inspired to compete again next year.
“There were some struggles (constructing the shoes), but we powered through them,” said Garrod. “It was a lot of fun and we will definitely participate again next year.”
Bakhiet said the event exceeded expectations and that 20 teams competed.
“In my 10 years (as MESA coordinator), this is probably the highest number of teams we’ve had,” she said. “I’m retiring after this year, so it’ll be the last event I host at SWC and I’m so happy that it ended on such a high note.”
Another group to make it across the pool were sixth graders also from Discovery Charter Elementary School. Noah Waugh, pilot for the sixth grade team, struggled but hung on to cross the pool in about 12 minutes. After he was lifted out of the water, his teammates were full of excitement, jumping and screaming.
“I feel good, but my legs hurt,” said Waugh. “We’re the only sixth grade team and the fact that we made it was very exciting.”
