March of the Mammal Madness again at Kennedy

by Dayna Pascual and Celeste Lee, Clarion Staff Reporters

A Bee and a Whale fight to the death!

A March Mammal Madness bracket displayed outside of room B-30. Students turned in their predictions during March and will receive results in early April. Photo Credit: Lee

This year’s Annual March Mammal Madness is the 11th time hosted by Kennedy High School’s science department. In the competition, students arrange different species of animals to virtually fight either to the death, for resources, or to escape from a predator. Many of the animals participating are mammals but other organisms are also included, such as shrimp.

Every year, scientists from Arizona State University (ASU) create simulated animal fights to produce a result for which animal would win over another in the wild. Students start off by predicting which animal will win each round. Afterwards, the winners of each round will be announced throughout the whole month of March and the final winner in the first week of April.

Kennedy freshman Dejah Dean working on the March Mammal Madness bracket. Students turned in their predictions during March and will receive results in early April. Students turned in their predictions during March and will receive results in early April. Photo Credit: Lee

This year’s chosen species are Itty bitty Come Back City, Mighty Stripes, Dad Bods, and Animal Engineers:

• Itty Bitty Division is for mammals that have lost previous tournaments and have been given a second chance to win this year.

• Mighty Stripes division consists of mammals that have stripes to camouflage themselves or to prevent bug bites.

• Dad Bods includes species of animals that have adapted to fatherhood either by nature or genetics.

• Animal Engineers are species that can build or craft resources either for protection or looking for a mate.

Kelsey Riley, Kennedy science teacher said the event "provides a little bit of friendly competition. It's fun when they start releasing the results and to hear about what could happen and how these animals interact in nature.”

Tournament brackets from teachers across Kennedy are displayed in the B-wing hallway, near the memorial for late science teacher Retter St. John.

On March 13 2023, ASU announced the Wild Card results that the bumblebee bat defeated the shrew mole. On March 15, results for Dad Bods round one were released:Emperor Penguins Owl Monkey, Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker, siamang, Bat-Eared Fox. and Wolverine. The following day on March 16 the first round of the Mighty Stripes were released: Okapi, Giant-Striped Mongoose, Side-Striped Jackal, Striped Dolphin, Highland Streaked Tenrec, Striped Hyena, striped rabbit and kudu. The results of Animal Engineers will be announced the night of March 20 2023.

Junior Solomon Philips said, “March Mammal Madness was fun because it kept me guessing who I thought would win.”

For more information: https://libguides.asu.edu/MarchMammalMadness