MIAMI (November 8, 2012)--Students from Florida International University walked on water for a class assignment wearing water shoes they created.

The students had to make it across a 175-foot lake on campus Thursday while wearing the aquatic shoes in order to earn an "A'' on the assignment.

Alex Quinones was the first to do so in just more than a minute, earning $500 and major bragging rights.

A total of 79 students competed in the race.

Architecture professor Jaime Canaves says the annual race is a lesson in life as well as architecture.

He said he wants to show his students that as long as they research and test their work, anything is possible, even "walking on water."