2025 ​DESIGN CHALLENGE
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 How can your team design a creative product that encourages everyone in our community to connect and enjoy public spaces respectfully and harmoniously?

Lakwood Elementary
West Ottawa Public Schools
Business Partner:  Disher
3rd Place -  Upper Elementary Division

Our experience . . .

     "My favorite part of the academy is definitely working together on our ideas and having everybody be a part of our thinking. I also love seeing ideas coming together and knowing our thinking could help people in their everyday lives!" ~ Ella, Student

     "My favorite part about academy is working together and modeling and designing our products. Also after our hard work finally seeing our ideas finished."  ~ Jack, Student

Park History Travel Chest project Padlet

The Broom Bruh - The Ultimate Restroom Rover project Padlet

Oakwood Elementary
Allendale Public Schools
​Business Partner:  DeWys Manufacturing
1st Place - Upper Elementary Division

Our experience . . .

     "I enjoyed working with my team to build our prototype!" ~Kay, Student

     "I learned to work on the design process and enjoyed figuring out how to make a QR code." ~ Jake, Student 

     "I'm happy that our idea might help those who are still learning English." ~ Nick, Student
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Everything Vending Machine Project Padlet

Dogbot:  The Beachgoers Best Friend Project Padlet.​

Macatawa Bay Middle School
​West Ottawa Public Schools
​Business Partner:  Gentex
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Our experience . . .

     “It was a great experience to make new friends.”  ~ Emi, Student

     “This was a splendid experience because I really got to be creative and actually figure out a plan to help solve a problem that matters to me.” ~ Addy, Student

     “It was interesting to visit new places in my community.” ~ Izzy, Student

     “We had an idea. It got out of hand…” ~ Grace, Student 

The Space at Public Parks Project Padlet
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Lakeshore Middle School
Grand Haven Public Schools
Business Partner:  ESOX Engineering
1st Place - Middle School Division

Our experience . . .

     "I feel it's a good challenge to grow our minds, thinking, and learning different aspects of how to solve a problem.  It's fun to continually refine our solution to become the best." ~ Mabel, Student

     "I get to spend time with my friends, learn new techniques for brainstorming, solving problems, and presenting."  ~ Sammy, Student

     "It's cool to know this is something that people do outside of a school setting and used in a professional workplace that really benefits people."  ~  Libby, Student
Pavement to Pallette Project Padlet

Valleywood Middle School
Kentwood Public Schools
​Business Partner:  Steelcase
​2nd Place - Middle School Division

Our experience . . .
     
     "Keep trying to achieve the goal." ~ Eden, Student

     "There was amazing leadership and mutual idea making." ~ Heavyn, Student

     "I would love this box in my neighborhood." ~ Student
Click here for Team Valleywood Middle School's journey on Padlet.

Charles Hackley Middle School
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Muskegon Public Schools
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Business Partner:  Dynamic Conveyor

Our experience . . .

     "I love that your solution includes an inside and outside place for people to enjoy the park safely." ~ Tom, Dynamic Conveyor

     "We think this project is important to us because it's something elderly people can do on their free time. Another reason is that the VR headsets are to help people who cannot walk around the park for personal reasons." ~ MS Student
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Muskegon State Park Visitor Center Project Padlet
Non-alcoholic Bar Project Padlet

Peach Plains Elementary
Grand Haven Public Schools
​Business Partner:  Fleetwood Furniture
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Our experience . . .

     “Even though figuring out our solutions was tough, we worked through it and it was worth it. The team games and challenges taught us to work together as a team and to communicate.” ~ Selah, Student.

     “I have enjoyed connecting with new people on a design challenge. My creativity was boosted to 100!”  ~ Grayson, Student

     “It was good to see students that I don’t normally get to see.” ~
​~ Jack E.
Chat Chair project Padlet

​Engage Bot 3000 project Padlet

Douglas Elementary
Saugatuck Public Schools
Business Partner:  Saugatuck Center for the Arts​
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Our experience . . .

     “No canes needed in the bathroom.” “It’s high so it’s easier to get low.”  ~ Student
 
     "It would be nice to have family members feel like they need to leave just to use the bathroom safely.” ~ Student

     "I think Design Club has taught me how to make good pitches, compromise, and it brought me new friends."  ~ Student

Rail Toilet Project Padlet

​The Ski Bench Project Padlet

Sandy Hill Elementary
Jension Public Schools
​Business Partner:  GMB
​2nd Place - Upper Elementary Division

Our experience . . .
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     "I love that you kids are coming up with ideas that will help our community." ~ Justin, Assistant Superintendent of Georgetown Township

     "This park does not have much going on . . . we need to fix it." ~ Cecily, Student

     "We are so impressed with how well our kids interviewed our township employee! They asked very thoughtful questions that weren't even on their list!" ~ Mrs. Ryan & Mrs. Bydalek, Educators
Woodcrest Warrior Project Padlet​

​​Woody Woods Woodcrest Minature Golf Course Project Padlet

Georgetown Elementary
Hudsonville Public Schools
Business Partner:  Disher
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Our experience . . .

     "I like futurePREP'd. I like feeling like I am making a real difference in the world." ~ Millie, Student

     "I like it [futurePRED'd] 'cause we share our ideas and opinions while eating and having fun with each other. And I get to miss school and love my team."   Josie, Student

     "futurePREP'd is probably one of the most fun things out of school I've done. I've bonded with my teachers and class mates alike. I would recommend it to anyone who gets the chance." ~ George, Student
 Community Garden Project Padlet

N.B.C. Middle School
Montague Public Schools
Business Partner:  Catchmark
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Our experience . . .

     "How awesome is it to create something for the community to enjoy." ~ Student

     "This is really a cool idea!" "We need to make this happen!" "I believe it to be  a great educational opportunity for students alike." ~ Student

Community Outdoor Keyboard Project Padlet

Grand Rapids Public Southwest Middle School
Business Partner:  Progressive Engineering
​3rd Place - Middle School Division

Our experience . . .

         "The thing that I most enjoyed was doing QR codes and learning new things." ~ Dominga, Student

      "Making the box was fun, and my team helped a lot with this project." ~ Aurora, Student

     "I liked getting information from people about what games should go in and deciding ideas. ~ Sophie, Student

Reeths Puffer Middle School
Business Partner:  Structural Concepts

Our experience . . .

     "It would be really fun to have an outdoor class about food and art using nature."  ~ Student

     "It's for everyone!  No one is left out here." ~ Student

     "I love the creativity aspect in a reasonably doable project.  Getting to put my ideas to paper." ~ Student 

Learning Center Padlet
Aquatic Center Padlet