Shaping Good
Samaritans with
The Entrepreneurs
& Their Experience
Biodegradable footwear. Affordable, bomb-proof housing.
Insect repelling, essential oil-infused apparel. You might
guess that these products are emerging from the latest
Silicon Valley startups. But they all originate closer to
home — in Philadelphia.
These creations and many more were showcased at the
inaugural 2019 STEM Expo at Pope John Paul II Regional
Catholic Elementary School. The creators? Fifth through
eighth grade students.
The expo is supported by a partnership with ProjectEngin,
which provides resources and guidance to teachers
looking to incorporate more STEM-based activities into
their lesson plans. For the expo, each group of four to five
students chooses one of the United Nations’ Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) and a location where that goal
has not yet been reached. Then as a team, they develop a
product or process within real-world constraints to solve
the problem.
In addition to making a brochure, an engineering notebook
that documents their design process, a prototype or model,
and a trifold display, the groups need to rehearse a pitch of
the benefits and utility of their solutions to attract potential
investors—just like in Shark Tank.
20
Julianna Grant
(5th grade) Sean Griffin
(6th grade)
SDG: Clean water and sanitation
Solution: A cheap and simple
water filtration system
Biggest challenge: Time and
resources. We worked as quickly
as possible and eliminated
distractions to finish.
I’ll always remember: The
expo itself. I enjoyed answering
questions and seeing what others
had done to help their countries. SDG: Sustainable cities and
communities
Solution: A round house that
has a secret basement where
people can seek shelter
Biggest challenge: Building our
product. But we never lost focus
of the goal and eventually
we succeeded.
I’ll always remember: Taking
charge of the group as the
project manager.
Nate Engel
(7th grade) Keira Sherwin
(8th grade)
SDG: Good health and well being
Solution: Prevent mosquitoes
from attacking the people of Benin
Biggest challenge: Finding a
power source for our product. We
chose solar power!
I’ll always remember: The day
we presented to the judges and
learning how other countries
aren’t as fortunate as us. SDG: Zero hunger
Solution: A pulley system that
carries fish to people in need
Biggest challenge: Learning to
work in a group and around
our constraints.
I’ll always remember: Winning
2nd place at the STEM fair in the
8th grade division!