In dramatic finish, MESA team places second in JPL finals

In a breathtaking finish, a MESA team from Jordan High School ( Long Beach Unified School District) took second place at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s 2005 Invention Challenge on December 2 in Pasadena.

Placing second by a razor-thin margin were the eight-member Jordan Destroyers Their finish was especially thrilling since the event marked Jordan’s first time participating in the Invention Challenge.

The annual event featured dozens of high school and JPL employee teams—many of whom had competed in prior years—that were required to build a contraption to light a match in as close to 20 seconds as possible.

The catch? The device had to be powered by at least three different energy sources that worked together in a chain reaction.

In the case of Jordan’s invention, the reaction was started by a rolling marble. Their final time was 20.50 seconds, which captured second place by one one-hundredth (.01) of a second. In addition to finishing in second place, Jordan’s entry also won the “most artistic” category. Their striking device, which resembled a lavish Chinese palace, was constructed so that its machinery was hidden from view.

“I was so nervous because we were the third team called to compete,” said team leader Danica Rose Manabat. “When we found out we took second, I was jumping up and down and screaming, and our parents are so proud.”

“You can tell this experience has had a big impact on the kids,” said MESA teacher Jesus Sandoval. “These are hard-working kids, they spent a lot of time brainstorming and sifting through their ideas, then built the final product in about a week.”

Their endeavors were carried on the news of at least two network TV stations in Los Angeles, and JPL filmed and photographed the event for its archives. The competition’s original purpose was to provide creative entertainment for JPL employees and friends while promoting science and engineering.

As the competition grew in popularity through the years, local schools were invited to join. La Cañada High School was the winning team, lighting a match in 20.30 seconds. This is the second year La Cañada has won the Invention Challenge.

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