Students at Galena High School have been named national finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, a competition that encourages teachers and students to solve issues in their community by using principles of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Under the direction of teacher Tom Larsen, the Galena students designed adaptive equipment for students with disabilities who attend their school. The students decided to focus their efforts on their classmates with disabilities after brainstorming ideas for last year's entry.
Requests from the Special Needs Department for adaptive equipment needed for their students along with daily observations of the students' struggles to open doors, drink from the water fountain, etc., made it seem like a natural fit for incorporating the new Engineering Design Process to solve real these world problems.
"I am so proud of our students," said Tom Larsen, who has taught at Galena High School for three years. "They have embraced this project, representing themselves and our STEM Program with an incredible amount of class, determination and skill to produce a wide variety of adaptive equipment prototypes. They have displayed amazing Workplace Readiness Skills; interviewing their clients, listening to their needs, getting clarification as needed, and working diligently in teams to try and meet their clients' needs."
As part of their project, Galena High School students defined the challenges by interviewing special needs teachers and therapists, used 3D software to develop solutions and test prototypes, and tested finalized solutions with students in their target population through everyday applications.
"The most amazing part of this project has been seeing the empathy my students have shown for their fellow students and their daily struggles and the relationships between them that have developed," said Larsen.
As the Nevada state winner and a national finalist, Galena High School will receive $35,000 in technology from Samsung. Larsen will present the project to a live panel of judges at the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum in New York City on March 18. Five grand prize winners will be chosen at the end of the competition, with each winner receiving an estimated $120,000 in technology for their school.
