On June 3, 2016, we hosted this challenge here, for 26 of our most promising and creative 9th graders. And while, I can be accused of being biased in my reporting, I have copied the sentiments and perspectives of a complete outsider, Michael Marchetti, whose observations certainly matched what all of the observers saw.

This event was significant to me for a host of reasons. What struck me most, however, occurred at the very end of the event. When the winning teams were announced, I was focused on the teams. The winners literally jumped out of their seats. For me, this simple, spontaneous act spoke volumes. A host of questions were swirling in my mind, all day, about what these students were experiencing; were they learning, were they interested in the task at hand, what were the team dynamics, would they be successful in their efforts, did they care about the event, would everyone be engaged, would they tell their parents about the day, do they appreciate the efforts that went into this event? The questions went on, and on. The students' single, exclamatory act of jumping out of their seats helped to provide me with confidence that we might have hit a home run. It also generated another question, what's next?