As part of a Library/Media Studies lesson, Mars Area Centennial School students are learning about the Guinness World Records and trying to set their own world record.

Fifth- and sixth-graders are attempting to break the longest time spinning a coin record (25.71 seconds), which was last broken on July 17, 2014. Students are working in pairs, taking turns spinning a coin while timing each attempt.

In November 2025, Chris Churilla, library/media studies teacher had his own chance to break the record, monitored by an official Guinness World Records adjudicator. While he did not break the record with a time of 10.5 seconds, he wanted to share his experience with his students.

“The students have always loved the Guinness World Records Books,” says Churilla. “The students love to read them and compare and contrast records from year to year.”

Following his world a attempt, Churilla obtained a signed copy of the 2026 Guinness World Records book, which has been added to the school’s library collection. The school has record books that go back to the year 2000.

For more information, call (724) 625-2601.