Students at Washington Intermediate School recently joined the Speed Stacking craze. Thanks to a Piqua Community Foundation YEA! Grant, physical education teacher Cheryl Burkhardt was able to introduce 265 students at the local school to the fast-paced sport becoming popular throughout the country and around the world.

The process seems simple; students stack and collapse pyramids of plastic cups. As their skills develop, the students tackle more cups and more elaborate pyramid patterns, always trying to beat their own times as well as the times of other students. Inter-school competitions are being scheduled to compare skills with students in other cities and states.

Washington School students were taught the Speed Stacking cycles and formations in physical education classes, and allowed to practice during indoor recess through the 2006-2007 school year. A Speed Stacking club was formed with over 40 students interested in participating in a school-wide competition, and parents and siblings were invited to join the fun as well.

Burkhardt explains that speed stacking provides exercise in tracking, manipulation, navigation, and works the eye muscles associated with reading; it also involves a multi-sensory approach that enriches cognition. And equally as important, says Burkhardt, “Speed Stacking is just fun, and students that are engaged are better learners.”

YEA! Grants are funded by the Piqua Community Foundation with funds made available through the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee. More information about these grants can be found on The Foundation’s website, www.piquacommunityfoundation.org.

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