If only middle schoolers' in-school problems like broken Chromebooks, tiny desks and anxiety could be solved with innovative products.
Eighth grade students in Victoria Golden’s Build a Business class have spent this semester putting that wish to the test. Students in the business elective course have designed and built products to make middle school life easier. Investor pitches for their products were evaluated this week by a panel of judges that included ELA Teacher Catherine Dima; School Resource Officer Deputy Shawn Larussi and School Monitor Suzanne Rhodes. Each pitch had to include a business overview, a pitch deck, team presentation, interaction with judges and classmates and be completed in less than five minutes.
“Last year I dropped my Chromebook and it broke,” said Jack Bryggman, “I didn’t realize that I had to pay for it and was really upset so I came up with an affordable Chromebook case that can also hold all of my schoolwork.”
Another group “Remindly” also focused on Chromebooks–they created a case with a digital screen with a reminder to charge their computers. They polled students and teachers and based their design on input from those polled.
“If we get money from investors, we will put money into better materials and advertising,” said Xavier Flores.
In middle school, the desks are too small to hold a computer, notebook, pens, pencils and paperwork. Two groups focused on this problem with different designs.
Spacious Extensions solved the problem with cardboard covered in felt clipped onto the desk with rubber clips.
The Desk Extender solved the problem with cardboard and magnets.
Fidgeting Fidget is a three-in-one fidget spinner resembling a squishy, stretchy keychain and spinner.
“It’s meant to help students get focused in class,” explained Kate Ryan, “but you can put it away in your pocket if it gets too distracting.”
The product Chime TIme is for teachers who either forget to take attendance or are so overwhelmed by activity in the classroom they cannot take attendance. It’s a ringer with flashing lights on a loop that chimes at the right time.
“It’s easy to set up with lots of options,” said William Gonzalez Mejia, “We are working on prototypes with different designs that are holiday themed-a tree for Christmas, a pumpkin for Halloween.
“The great thing about this class and these projects,” explained Victoria Golden, “is that students can get creative and take ownership of their product. It’s student driven.”
Today, middle school problems, tomorrow the world.
