Transforming the Future
Students at Sevier Middle School began the second semester with the announcement of two winners in an Innovation Station program using Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) focused instruction. Working in teams, students came up with ideas on how to make existing products better. Their ideas were presented before a Shark Tank of business professionals, who asked questions and offered ways to improve their ideas. The students used the suggestions to draw schematics, conduct further research, and develop a marketing plan including a video commercial. Students critiqued each team’s commercials and plans. The top 11 innovations were presented to the Sharks, who selected the top two.
The first place award went to Grace Brackett and Lydia Flackett for their project, EcoBox 1.0. “Our project is an attachment for your car’s exhaust pipe. Inside there are a series of filters so when the exhaust comes out of your car all the particles and the harmful gases are filtered out and reduces pollution,” said Grace. “We looked at different products that help clean the air and we decided that a filter system would be the best because other products use electricity which we need to conserve.”
Lydia added, “I was very surprised because I honestly didn’t think we would win. We make a good team because I am better on the computer and Grace is a better presenter and writer.”
The second place award went to Zane Brown for his project, “Sparkle.” Sparkle is an enhanced headset with a built-in GPS that helps blind people get from point A to point B safely. “I just wanted to help blind people. I got the idea from my ELA teacher, Miss Bowman, because she knows I like to listen to music on my headset,” Zane explained.
STEAM is an educational design that incorporates the practices of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, strategically linked with the Arts and Humanities. Learning at Sevier engages students in meaningful challenges, investigations, and projects that advance critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. Teachers are implementing instruction that centers on a driving question that students must answer through a structured process of project-based learning. Teachers collaborate to deliver instruction that crosses content areas and supports student engagement as they work together to learn significant content and solve real-world problems.