Dyersburg students design a dodgeball launcher so wheelchair‑bound classmate can play

A group of sixth‑grade STEM students from Dyersburg Middle School presented a classroom‑designed “Kellen project” to the Full Committee of Education, describing a prototype launcher intended to let a classmate who uses a wheelchair play dodgeball with peers.

Why it matters: The students’ project demonstrates classroom application of career and technical education (CTE) and science‑technology‑engineering‑math (STEM) funding and local business partnerships to produce an accessible recreation device. Committee members and visiting legislators praised the students’ work and noted it as an example of CTE investments producing practical, inclusive outcomes.

What the students presented: Teachers and students said the work grew from new STEM offerings funded by Innovative School Models (ISM) and TISA funding (funds referenced by the school). Students described design requirements that included safety, mobility, single‑ball launches, angle adjustment, a shield for the seated player and—including as a personal detail for the student being assisted—the color blue.

Student Emilia Martin said the team researched materials and “created a scale drawing and graph paper for our final product.” Student Fatou Mana summarized design priorities: “Our number one requirement is safety… Our fourth requirement is to have our lever a button. We chose this because it would be more accessible for Kellen.” Several students explained they tested compressed‑air and wheel‑and‑motor concepts and planned collaborations with the high‑school welding team and community engineers to build later prototypes.

Principal Matt Spreaker and Director of Schools Kim Worley told the committee that roughly 45 percent of the district’s students are economically disadvantaged and that ISM/TISA funds helped extend STEM programs into middle and elementary grades. Worley said the program seeks to deliver “opportunities for all students and barriers for none.”

Private‑sector support: Brad Whittle, speaking for Armco, told the committee that Armco has donated more than $500,000 over the past three years to support CTE and STEM in the region and said his company will continue to work with Dyersburg schools on design and fabrication.

Timeline and next steps: Student presenters outlined a timeline reported to the committee: prototype work began after January, with a first prototype expected by May and further collaboration with community partners and the high‑school welding team planned for the following August; the students projected the device would be operational and in use by November. The school said they had consulted Kellen’s therapist to identify that his dominant hand is left and that activation needed to be a lever or button on that side.

Committee reaction: Members praised the student work for combining engineering, teamwork and inclusive design. Representative Glenn called the presentation “a great reflection” of the district’s programs; Representative Barrett said the presentation was “way better than the best budget hearing I ever sat through.” The committee presented a commemorative state capital book to the visitors and encouraged the students to return.

Ending: The committee heard the student demonstration before returning to the remaining agenda items. The school and partners will continue prototype development and community collaboration.