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Olentangy students showcase designs from inaugural "Make It Awesome" challenge
Summary
Students from across Olentangy presented projects from a districtwide design challenge that paired students with local businesses and nonprofits, featuring entries on sustainability, digital storytelling and repurposing materials.
The board heard student presentations from Olentangy Local School District’s first Make It Awesome design challenge at its June 12 meeting.
Brent Rohrer, the district’s Instructional Technology Supervisor, described the program and said the spring contest offered four pathways — a community business challenge, a digital-safety storytelling track, digital storytelling and a hands-on repurposing track open to K–12 students. The district partnered with local businesses and organizations, including the Olentangy Education Foundation, Robertson Construction and Wilkins Collective, to pose real business problems for student teams.
Students presented a range of projects. Third-grader Laura McGidwin from Wyandotte Run Elementary described a hands-on repurposing submission in which she made American Girl doll clothes from old socks. Rising Orange High School freshman Aishwarya presented a proposal that suggested using hemp material in cafeteria sound-absorption panels and composting gardens at elementary schools to improve sustainability and sound control. Another student, Parvana, played a digital storytelling segment about flowers she filmed at Inniswood Metropark and explained she edited the video using Adobe tools and recorded her own piano background.
Rohrer said business partners provided feedback and selected winning entries for their challenges; for example, the Olentangy Education Foundation selected one media campaign submission for its homecoming event and Wilkins Collective’s CEO reviewed entries for a pajama-brand campaign for a startup that makes clothing for children with long hospital stays.
Board members praised the students’ presentations for public speaking and creativity. No board action was required.
Ending: Rohrer said the district plans to expand the program and add more business partners next year.
