SUFFERN — There are so many empty Amazon boxes in Lynda Hammond’s classroom lately you’d have to wonder if she’s a shopaholic, but that’s not the case.
The boxes were toted in by students at Viola Elementary School, eager to transform the containers into something new and exciting.
On Friday afternoon, a group of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders spent their lunch and recess period stacking, taping, cutting and gluing the cardboard — the first steps to making what will eventually be student-created arcade games. Half-eaten pizza slices sat on desks, while students excitedly chatted about what they were making or offered each other suggestions on building.
The submissions are destined for entry in the Global Cardboard Challenge, which encourages children to use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to make the games using common household items like tape, balls, plastic…