(03/11/2022) Anoka High School - Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (AHS) seniors in the honors design and development class have been working hard all trimester on their final capstone project prototypes, and on March 3 they got a boost from the community when the school hosted its first in-person STEAM Professional Review Night.

Organized by AHS science teacher Todd Hunter, curriculum integration coordinator Jill Luoma-Overstreet and STEAM/FCS teacher Katie Hale, the event welcomed 20 local companies at the school’s Makerspace. The professionals in attendance were tasked with providing their input and to ask honest and critical questions. View photos of the March 3 event.

“School needs to go beyond the walls of a classroom,” Hunter said. “It needs to connect with the world we are preparing students for. Bringing professionals in to work with our students builds that connection and makes the student experience real and relevant. Students ended the night invigorated, their brains running a million miles an hour filled with ideas and next steps that will propel them to the STEAM Expo on May 25.”

The student projects covered a vast range of topics, including socioeconomic issues, mental and physical wellness, ways to make everyday life safer, renewable energy, and more. Owen Phelps’ project focuses on creating “smart” protective hockey equipment that can quickly detect injuries. He appreciated having the input from the professionals. 

“The people I talked to were incredibly knowledgeable and they knew exactly what I was talking about,” Phelps said. “They had a lot of information to give me and gave me advice on where I can take this and improve it. It is really great in guiding our projects.”

Jessica Thanghe is working on preventing abusive and unhealthy relationships among teens. 

“This night helps us figure out the things we have been stuck on the past three months and helps us figure out the bigger questions we’ve had about our projects,” Thanghe said. 

Some professionals also saw the positive impact the event can make on the students - in more ways than one. 

“It’s very understandable that many of the students need a shot in the arm when they are working through projects that can have a lot of obstacles, especially with them being rather youthful and not having as many years solving problems under their belt,” said Randy Sieben, one of the professionals in attendance. “And then the presentations, having to articulate and do the public speaking is another great experience.”

Originally Posted here.