During the second week of July, the H. Kenneth Barker Center for Economic Education, in partnership with the Urban STEM Center, the Maker Studio in Bierce Library and Bounce Innovation Hub, hosted 31 middle and high school youth from 15 school districts in Northeast Ohio for the annual Think Tank to Shark Tank: Engineering to Entrepreneur Summer Camp.
The weeklong camp provided area youth in grades six through nine with in-demand experiences engaging in the engineering design process and employing an entrepreneurial mindset to design and take to market an innovation. Participants toured area high-tech businesses and Bounce Innovation Hub, and interviewed area entrepreneurs and engineers. Campers competed in team design challenges, engaged in digital video production, used CAD modeling software and 3D printers, learned about intellectual property, created a business plan, and pitched their innovations to area business leaders. Expert faculty in education, engineering and business worked alongside camp staff to meet the unique learning needs of youth.
The 31 participants of this year's Think Tank to Shark Tank: Engineering to Entrepreneur Summer Camp take a break on the steps of Buchtel Hall.
“This is the fifth year we’ve offered this opportunity to area youth on campus, and this was our largest and most successful program yet”, noted Dr. Brad Maguth, camp co-director and executive director of the Barker Center, based in the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education. “The camp could not have been possible without the support of UA’s Bierce Library Maker Studio, Bounce Innovation Hub and The University of Akron Research Foundation.”
Youth innovations included window cleaning robots (WindowBot), mobile applications to advance youth mental wellbeing (Tears), and a proposed new technology to help clean up the world’s waterways (Water Pollution Solution).
The judges for the event included:
- Judy Barnes, president, Judith Bartonne Skin Care, Cosmetics & More;
- EbaNee Bond, Akron Entrepreneurial Fellow, University of Akron Research Foundation;
- Lynne Pachnowski, professor, math education, LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education; and
- Lou Spilker, owner and consultant for multiple businesses and governmental agencies.
Karen Plaster, director of the Urban STEM Center and camp co-director, saw the camp as a huge success.
Two Shark Tank Summer Camp participants work together on a project.
“It is truly amazing what the students can complete in a week,” said Plaster. “Providing them a blank canvas to turn into whatever they want and pitch the ideas in front of professionals, always impresses me. It is a fast-paced week, but the outcomes and the students’ enthusiasm is always worth it.”
Participants’ families, friends and the campus community attended a showcase of camper innovations on the final day, where awards and honors were presented. Participating school districts included Akron Public Schools, Green Local Schools, Copley-Fairlawn Schools, Stow-Monroe Falls City Schools, Tallmadge City Schools, Coventry Local School District, North Royalton City Schools, Parma City Schools, Barberton City Schools, Revere Local Schools, Highland Local Schools, Medina City Schools, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Old Trail School and McKinney Independent School District (Texas).
Registration for the 2020 Summer Camp is now open. Those interested can visit the H. Kenneth Barker Center for Economic Education online.
Media contact: Alex Knisely, 330-972-6477 or aknisely@uakron.edu.