Hand-made arcade to open at DeLalio Elementary

Photo By Cpl. Mark Watola | DeLalio Elementary School aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River is participating in the Global Cardboard Challenge, where children around the world use cardboard, recycled materials and their imaginations to create arcade games. The challenge was inspired by Caine Monoy, who was recognized for creating an arcade of cardboard in his father’s auto shop. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark Watola /released)  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

01.27.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Mark Watola 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - DeLalio Elementary School students aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River are creating arcade games in support of the Global Cardboard Challenge and will host and event open to the community Feb. 4.

During the Global Cardboard Challenge, children use cardboard, recycled materials and their imagination to create arcade games. It takes place in 49 countries with more than 90,000 participants worldwide.

The challenge was inspired by then 9-year-old, Caine Monoy. In the summer of 2012, Monoy created an arcade of cardboard in his father’s auto shop.

One of his father’s customers took an interest in the arcade and created a short film focusing on Monoy and his creations.

Since then, the video has gone viral and the Imagination Foundation picked up the idea and launched the Global Cardboard Challenge to encourage children to have fun while learning.

“Students learn about the engineer design program, which is similar to the scientific method,” said Kara Fernandez, DeLalio’s Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics teacher. “They start with a question, ‘What can you create out of cardboard?’”

The students work in groups of three or four to come up with an idea, make rules and design their game. With the help and guidance of 40 Marines from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29, the children are able to turn their ideas into something concrete.

“The kids build a working model and test it,” said Fernandez, a Wheaton, Maryland, native. “When they encounter problems, we guide them and help them learn to solve the problems on their own.”

When the arcade opens, the Parent Teacher Association will sell snacks like popcorn and baked goods, true to arcade fashion.

“The cardboard challenge for this month is special in that every student has the opportunity to participate,” said Deborah Zirnheld, DeLalio education technologist and Jacksonville native. “The children have to think about other ideas and it might inspire them to become a scientist or something they might not have thought of before.”

• Date Taken: 01.27.2015
• Date Posted: 01.29.2015 09:22
• Story ID: 153019
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US
• Hometown: JACKSONVILLE, NC, US
• Hometown: WHEATON, MD, US