High School Students Create Products Solving Classroom Struggles

Jim Matlon teaches Entrepreneurship and Greg Slade teaches Principles of Engineering at Oak Forest High School. The two have been best friends for over fifteen years and while it might seem like engineering and entrepreneurship belong in two separate schools of science and business, Matlon and Slade were determined to collaborate. Thus, “Engineership” was born.

“We’re always looking for ways to do something that’s fun, different, and helps keep the curriculum interesting for students,” says Matlon.

Since September, Matlon and Slade’s students have been working together to develop their own product that will solve every day classroom struggles. Matlon’s students got started with market research where they surveyed teachers and students alike trying to discover difficulties in the classroom. They brought their research to Slade’s students and then the teams moved forward with sketches and designs, additional research, branding, pricing, developing, and all of the other factors that go into creating the perfect product.

Months later, in December, Matlon and Slade’s students revealed their products in a “Shark Tank” inspired presentation to classmates. After narrowing down the top three products, teams presented their ideas to guest judges which included student judge Cupertino Meija, Principal Brad Sikora, Assistant Principal of Teaching & Learning Jane Dempsey, and District 228 Career and Technology Supervisor April Nykaza.

“Students, this is a tremendous opportunity for you to show off your skills,” announced Matlon. “It might seem like a glorified show and tell, but this is your hard work and you should be extremely proud of what you have accomplished.”

Slade chimed in, “This is your chance. Be proud and own what you have done.”

Products presented included Desk Cuffs, The Dripster, and The Backpack Clip.

The first product, Desk Cuffs, were designed with the goal of keeping desks linked together and unable to separate from one another. Students explained that teachers often were tired of having to move desks back to their original spots, and students had a hard time with group work when their makeshift table of four desks would begin to slip a part.

The second product, The Dripster, was presented as a coaster which clips onto the desk to prevent spillage and has an extended lip reducing condensation marks. Students explain that iced coffees would often leave wet marks on desks ruining the space for students in the next class and potentially damaging expensive school property with wet rings.

The third product, The Backpack Clip, can clip onto a desk or the back of a chair and hold anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds or roughly the weight of a backpack. The clip removes clutter from aisles allowing teachers and students to pass with ease.

All three products were created with the use of a 3D printer. Students demonstrated their product and explained their detailed plans, research, and design process. Including how they overcame problems as they rose and advanced the product over time after hearing feedback on their original designs and concepts.

After careful deliberation, all four judges agreed that each product was unique in its own way. Judges suggested students move forward with the patent process and begin to seek out sponsorship or sale opportunities. But, when it came down to pick the winner, The Backpack Clip surpassed The Dripster and Desk Cuffs becoming the first winning product of Engineership in District 228 history.

The winning team will have an opportunity to present their product at an upcoming District 228 Board Meeting in front of Board Members.

This is the first time entrepreneurship and engineering classes have collaborated and presented Engineership, but both teachers have agreed it won’t be the last time.

“The project allows students to practice creative problem solving and collaboration skills that are important and applicable to real business practices,” says Slade.

Slade’s class, Principles of Engineering, is a newly offered class in Bremen High School District 228. It ran for the first time in the District last year at Bremen and Hillcrest high schools. After a successful year, the program moved to Tinley Park and Oak Forest high schools for the current 2019-2020 school year.