An Amazing Week with FuturePrep Students!

It was such an inspirational week to work with an amazing group of young people, a generous local business, Sybesma's Electronics, and my teaching partner and new friend, Naomi VanSingel. 


The premise behind FuturePrep is to bring together a team of students to solve a real problem a local business needs solved.  Teachers receive training in the Creative Process and how to be facilitators, allowing the students to drive the instruction. 


The middle school program is one week long, with the team learning  their Driving Question (problem to be solved) on Monday and giving a formal presentation of their proposed solution to the business on Thursday afternoon.  On Friday, all student teams give their final presentation to a panel of judges to show what they have learned over the week as well as their solution to the Driving Question:
How do we communicate the value of a second life battery?

The Creative Process:

1) Introduction  and  2) Observation

Wearing our clean suits, we're ready for the LG tour.

Checking out the lithium ion batter used in a Chevy Volt.

Hank Sybesma demonstrates a high-low powered only by a second life battery.

A battery cell used to power a cordless screwdriver.

This golf cart is powered only by a second life battery using Global Battery Solution's patented method for using lithium ion batteries deemed un-usuable.

3) Investigation, 4) Incubation, 5) Solutions and Decision

Students writing the story of a second life battery in 40 words, or less.

A messy work space is the sign of a lot of hard work by our team.

These two kids were video editing rock stars.

Hashing out ideas.

Mr. Hank Sybesma was interviewed for the video clip that was presented as the final solution.

Students made comments on the final three proposed solutions during a gallery walk.

Sybesma's Electronics hosted a lunch for their employees and our team.

After kids made revisions to their proposals after their gallery walk, employees of Sybesma's Electronics provided their feedback.

Everyone from Sybesma's Electronics was so helpful and kind to our team. Here, employees check out the proposed solutions and provide feedback.

Students took a few minutes to collect their thoughts and impressions of what they learned at the end of the first day.

Students interview Cate Siler and Jennifer Sierra about their family business and the influence of their father, Hana Sybesma:

6) Validation

The kids were remarkably professional and poised for their final presentation.

Hank Sybesma was clearly proud of all the kids on our team.

Everyone felt a sense of accomplishment (as well as relief) when the final presentation was complete.

Team Sybesma waiting at their team table to answer questions and visit.

The Solution: Allow Hank Sybesma to share his ideas on how using second life lithium ion batteries can change the world via a Ted Talk.

Hank Sybesma's Ted Talk trailer:

Check out the article about our week written by Amy Biolchini for the Holland Sentinel here!

Last, but not least.... this is our final group picture, Harry Potter style: