6A Came, Saw, Conquered

The students developed a design that combined both natural and constructed supports to transport water from the windows of Doc Wilson Hall to the parking lot. 

According to middle school Latin teacher Brittany Farrar, this was the first year the teams were permitted to build outside, adding a new layer of creativity and logistical challenge. Each of the four advisories approached the task with a distinct design strategy, yet all prioritized efficiency and careful use of materials. 

Each advisory has one class period to plan and construct the longest functional aqueduct in and around the Doc Hall. The water needed to flow through the entire structure without major leaks or stop into a “fountain” at the end of the structure. 

Farrar described how the project connects directly to students’ study of ancient Rome. “This is an activity included in our unit on public health and amenities in Rome, and tends to reinforce the concerns involved in building and maintaining aqueducts,” she said. “Students were encouraged to think through how a Roman 'curator aquarum' (water caretaker) might organize themselves and prevent water access catastrophes.

Maggie Gimple ’32, a member of the winning team, said she loved the idea of combining the building and Roman aqueducts into this project. “I learned that it is very difficult to build aqueducts and other water transporting structures," said Gimple.