Students worked together in their teams over the course of a week formulating their strategies and coming up with an idea.
“They argued, they agreed, they drew then tore up what they created, and went back and did it again. I kept thinking some of them would quit or ask to change groups, but it didn’t happen,” said sixth grade teacher Gayla Baker.
Each group focused on a different problem to solve, from military weaponry, to missile detectors, water purifiers, and fire fighting robots. Included in their presentations, students had to give real life instances where their device could be used. One group proposed a water purifier made up of simple materials that could be obtained in any third-world country. Another group presented a robot firefighter that would prevent real firefighters from being harmed or trapped in burning buildings.
“Every group brought something great to the table,” Baker added. “I feel confident about having this group of students running our world one day.”
Winners of the “Shark Tank” invention competition included Marq Bryant, Braylon Gardner, Javier Tovar, Jaysom El Sibai, Cody Phillips and Dylan Prater, whose idea consisted of a missile that could intercept a nuclear weapon and would self-destruct if hacked.
Great job to all of these outstanding and innovative students!