Exploring Creativity and Innovation: Our Rapid Prototyping Session
“This process taught us all to embrace trial and error, solve problems, and push through obstacles.”
As the TYE State Competition approaches, we recently held an exciting rapid prototyping session! With help from mentors with expertise in design and engineering, students worked hands-on to transform their ideas into tangible prototypes. The session was full of creativity, collaboration, and growth, and the resulting prototypes showcase the power of validating ideas through creating physical representations. A special highlight was the involvement of our guest mentors who provided invaluable feedback and guidance throughout the process. These experts helped students refine their ideas and tackle the challenges of prototyping, offering guidance on design thinking, product development, and problem-solving. Their support not only improved the prototypes but also encouraged students to think more critically and creatively. Big thanks to everyone who came in to help!
Projects included a reforestation robot designed by a student passionate about environmental sustainability. Using robotic kits, the student worked on prototyping a robot capable of planting trees and seeds in deforested areas, even in challenging terrains. The project evolved from sketches to a rough physical model, with mentors guiding the work of visualizing and problem-solving in design. Another fun design was a biodegradable, plantable phone case. The case is designed to break down naturally after use, reducing plastic waste, and containing seeds that could grow into plants. The team experimented with compostable glue and eco-friendly materials, such as cactus leather and paper clay, ensuring the prototype was both functional and sustainable. Their model underwent various iterations with different materials, which was inspiring to see, demonstrating how prototyping can help solidify product design. Many teams also worked on developing websites and social media accounts to validate their ideas, a crucial step in the entrepreneurial process. These websites allowed students to present their product ideas with greater legitimacy and impact, an important supporting step in the journey of launching a business. Another project which underwent iteration as a result of the prototyping project was a ring to detect spiked drinks. Mentors helped students think through how this product would actually function when being used, leading to an updated idea for the drug detection mechanism within the ring.
The session highlighted the transformative power of prototyping. Students began with early-stage concepts and, through rapid iteration, transformed them into tangible prototypes. This process taught us all to embrace trial and error, solve problems, and push through obstacles. The experience was inspiring, and we’re excited to see these ideas develop further as we approach the State Competition.
