This December, thirty students from Carson High, Southeast Middle, and China Grove Middle came together to discuss ways to address stress management and mental health around the holiday season. During the all-day event, students worked in teams with students from different schools led by high school students.

Students began with ‘thinking outside of the box’ and brainstorming different uses of a tissue box. They had marvelous ideas like using it as a projector, wrapping gifts, and making a leprechaun trap.

Next, they had their main challenge: how to manage stress and mental health around the holiday season. The students created a character with a stress or mental health challenge and then created a product to help solve the problem. Because each team was creating a solution for their specific character, the final products varied, including a time management clock, a stuffed doll that gave affirmations, and even a musical McDonald’s Happy Meal!

Valerie Jordan, a junior at Carson High, said, “It was a great way to build teamwork skills and give trust in people.”

Materials that the students were able to work with included a Glowforge laser cutter, 3D printers, Cricut vinyl cutting machines, sewing machines, and various craft supplies such as cardboard, fabric, popsicle sticks, and hot glue.

All of the materials were funded through a Digital Learning Initiative Emerging Technologies grant through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Easton Reynolds, a 7th grader from China Grove Middle, said, “It was cool to learn how to sew because I never knew how to sew before now.”

After teams completed their prototype, they presented their research and finished product to a panel of judges from the community.

Judges included Hanson Saryee, a representative from Crosby Scholars Rowan, Shana Cauthen of Cauthen Counseling and Consulting, and Brian Whitson, a representative from the NC Department of Public Instruction. The judges were impressed with the level of critical thinking and collaboration the students demonstrated.

In the end, everyone learned something new and showed their creativity in their project.

Erickson Trail, an 8th grader from Southeast Middle, said, “I liked using things that normally middle schools wouldn’t have.”

The winning team will return in the spring to judge the next Design Day!

 

Story by Anne Hedrick, Southeast Middle School Communications Ambassador.