Students have an incredible ability to collaborate, innovate, and create. Especially when they’re challenged to create solutions for real-world problems they connect with. That’s exactly what 21 Missouri high schoolers did during a stadium-level Make48 competition for PLTW students. The goal? To ideate, prototype, and pitch inventions that improve the “Stadium Experience” in just 48 hours.
By the end of the whirlwind event, teams had spent hundreds of cumulative hours putting their creative problem-solving skills and engineering design knowledge to the test! While there was just one winning team, what each student learned along the way will have a lasting impact as they enter a world driven by STEM.
In an exciting showcase of young talent and innovation, seven teams of PLTW students competed in a high-stakes product development challenge hosted at the UMKC Innovation Studio. Through this unique platform, participants got the opportunity to collaborate, create, and compete to win a $2,000 prize and the chance to participate in Make48’s National Championship in November 2024.
During the 48-hour event, each team:
Bringing their unique skills and perspectives to the challenge, each team showed incredible adaptability and creativity as they applied the engineering design process to create their final pitch and product.
KIPP KC Legacy H.S.: As first-time participants in a Make48 competition, these engineering design students showed up ready to flex their creative muscles with curiosity, passion, and excitement.
Columbia Creators: A team with diverse talents in engineering design, brought together through their PLTW Engineering courses and united by their passion for developing engineering skills and becoming top competitors in the industry.
Innovation Hall Bears: Representing Willow Springs High School's new CTE building, this team combined talents from both the school’s PLTW Engineering program and business department.
[Redacted]: Led by a 20-year Navy veteran turned teacher, this team of students from multiple Columbia Area Career Center came together to demonstrate skills gained through various PLTW classes.
Vianney 1: Always up for a challenge and led by teacher Tyrus Ivory, this diverse group from St. John Vianney High School showed up ready to innovate and create.
Tiger Innovations: Comprised of three standout PLTW students and their engineering teacher, Tony Harman, this team from Excelsior Springs High School brought their passion for creating innovative solutions to real-world problems.
The Ones Who Shall Not Be Named: These Yellow Jackets from Center High School brought their individual talents and passions together to collaborate and find a creative solution.
Standing out among the fierce competition was the Innovation Hall Bears from Willow Springs High School. This exceptional team, consisting of Matthew Knapp (Team Captain), Madalyn Poor, Nolan Perkins, and Seth Wake, clinched the coveted Best Innovation award. Their groundbreaking creation, "Seat Sentry," impressed judges and secured them a $2,000 prize, a custom-made trophy, and an invaluable ticket to Make48’s National Competition.
Seat Sentry, a revolutionary locking device for stadium seats, showcases the team's innovative thinking. Utilizing NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, it ensures seat security, eliminates confusion, and even allows for in-seat concession ordering. This ingenious solution not only enhances the spectator experience but also provides valuable data collection capabilities for venues.
The success of teams like the Innovation Hall Bears can be attributed to their well-rounded skill sets. As team captain Matt Knapp noted, "Each person on the team has their area of expertise." From engineering and video production to marketing and entrepreneurship, the teams' unique talents allowed them to tackle every aspect of the challenge effectively.
This competition highlighted the real-world applicability of PLTW's curriculum. Students credited their PLTW classes for equipping them with crucial skills in areas such as 3D printing, CAD software, and practical mechanical knowledge. This foundation proved invaluable during the intense 48-hour challenge.
Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO, emphasized the significance of this event: "What makes this competition so impressive is seeing how PLTW students are applying their classroom knowledge and skills to creating these prototypes in relevant and meaningful ways. They are getting direct experience in what it takes to design a product and make it come to life."
As we celebrate the success of the Innovation Hall Bears and all participating teams, we're reminded of the incredible potential that lies within our students when given the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. Stay tuned for more updates on the winning team’s journey to the National competition!