Kids at Oak Harbor elementary schools finished the last week before Christmas break with a series of winter and holiday projects designed to foster creativity and develop STEM skills.

At Crescent Harbor Elementary School, third graders put their building skills to the test in a miniature dogsled competition. The students constructed their sleds out of materials such as popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners and pom-poms.

After each classroom raced its students’ sleds, the winners came together in one final championship Tuesday afternoon.

“My sled was kind of an idea of speed mixed with caring,” said Gabriel Kazmierczak, whose miniature sled won in his classroom.

Just like real dogsleds from the early 20th century were used to carry medicine long distances, Gabriel built his sled with a small compartment to carry extra pom-poms.

If Gabriel could travel anywhere in a dogsled, he would go everywhere from Florida to Japan — and he would bring along his trusty B1 battle droid, which is what he hopes to get for Christmas.

“My main idea to do with him — have fun, and teach him how to be a regular person,” he said.

Abigail Delacruz, whose dogsled was the winner in her class’ race, had slightly more lucrative holiday wishes.

“Just one thing,” she said when asked what she hoped to get for Christmas. “Money.”

On Thursday, a class of Oak Harbor Elementary School second graders tried their hand at architectural design as they constructed graham cracker gingerbread houses based on their own plans.

Frosting snitching during the building resulted in many messy hands and happy kids.

“The best part about doing this is you get to eat it,” second grader Adalyn Watson said, licking a dab of icing from her finger.

Adalyn was excited about the upcoming holiday and hopeful about what might be waiting for her under the tree.

“I really want some heels, like my mom has,” she said. “You know, like those heels that make you look taller.”

Her classmates had high hopes for the holiday, as well.

“I want my dad to let me have a cat,” said Kaitlyn Williamson.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Aiden Hogan gets his hands messy while constructing his gingerbread house.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Gabriel Kazmierczak, front left, shows off his winning dogsled.