Today, Osborn High School students put on their engineering hats when they were challenged to create a wearable device of the future.
The assignment was as part of a day-long STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) workshop, designed to expose them to careers as entrepreneurs in the tech industry.
Sixteen-year-old Kataria Green and 35 other Detroit students were tasked with coming up with three problems that wearable devices can solve. They also had to determine how the devices would solve the problems, design a device using scrap materials and then pitch it to judges.
“The purpose of the techpreneur business challenge with AT&T was to expose Detroit High School students to the innovation economy and wearable technology. We focused on getting the students to think about being creators and producers versus just being consumers,” said Hajj Flemings, CEO/Founder of Brand Camp University, which collaborated on the event.
Kataria said the exercise boosted her confidence and showed her that she is really good at coming up with ideas. Among the ones she threw out to her team was making sure the device had a sensor so that it could vibrate and be used as an alarm, which would allow someone who had to get up early not to wake their sleeping spouse.
She also said the day-long event taught her about the importance of teamwork.
“You have to have ongoing leadership,” Kataria said. “You cannot let your team fail because you’re too bossy or being stuck up.”
The tech challenge, she said, also made her rethink career choices. Rather than just considering a path in the healthcare or counseling arena, she is adding entrepreneur in the mix.
Kianta Bankston, a data coach at Osborn said these kinds of out-of-school, hands-on learning experiences are perfect for students because it challenges them.
“(They) spend a lot of money on iPhones and Jordans and things they are consuming and never think about how they can be entrepreneurs,” she said, “We need leaders in the community.”
The winning team of five students each received a $25 VISA giftcard.
The workshop, held at the Detroit Center for Design + Technology, was a collaboration between AT&T, Lawrence Tech University College of Architecture & Design, Brand Camp University and Osborn High School.
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