B
ethel Park High School students
in Brad Kszastowski’s Computer
Integrated Manufacturing class
partnered with O.Z. Enterprises to
solve real world problems using
Human Centered Design Techniques,
as well as more traditional problem
solving methods.
O.Z. Enterprises is a Pittsburgh-
based company that delivers energy
management solutions for schools,
hospitals, and commercial and industrial
buildings.
Upper St. Clair High School STEAM
Innovation and Consulting students also
participated in this activity. Students
from both schools met three times since
January with representatives from the
O.Z. Enterprises management team to
pitch and refine their ideas, before their
final presentation to six O.Z. Enterprises
employees at Waynesburg University’s
Southpointe campus.
The CIM class students were tasked
with three problems that O. Z. Enterprises
wanted to be addressed. The problems
were:
Building a kit that O.Z. Enterprises
could use at trade shows to demonstrate
their products and services. Students
Chris Toth and Nick Guimond did a great
job designing a professional looking
display and travel case that could also be
used for training purposes.
(Left to right): Anmar Alsaad, Daniel Sounik,
Ian Materkowski, Chris Toth, Nick Guimond
and Cullen Stewart on presentation day at
Waynesburg University’s Southpointe Campus.
Absent: Justin Fish.
Developing an inventory system for
O.Z. Enterprises that would help to track
surplus materials that could be used for
subsequent jobs. Students Cullen Stewart
and Ian Materkowski recommended
a computerized management system
and mobile app that O.Z. Enterprises
management called “a great solution
from a service standpoint.”
Developing a mechanism that makes
it clear to anyone passing by their
sensors that O.Z. Enterprises has done
the installation work. Students Anmar
Alsaad, Dan Sounik and Justin Fish
recommended professional looking, clear
backed stickers be placed on the sensors,
displaying the O.Z. Enterprises logo and
contact number.
(Left to right): Ian Materkowski, Cullen Stewart and
Daniel Sounik at the SHASDA Student Forum.
Three of the students—Ian
Materkowski, Daniel Sounik and Cullen
Stewart—represented Bethel Park at the
SHASDA Student Forum at Baldwin High
School and showcased their projects.
SHASDA is an acronym for South Hills
Area School Districts Association, and
it is an organization that represents 23
school districts in the southern part of
Allegheny County and the northern part
of Washington County.
For this event, students were
encouraged to share projects they are
working on at their school.
Mr. Kszastowski was proud of his
students, describing their presentations
as, “excellent, professional and engaging.”
EIGHTH GRADER RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
FROM THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS
I
ndependence Middle School Eighth
Grader Matthew Ruffing received
a Certificate of Excellence from
(Left to right): Matthew Ruffing is congratulated
for his efforts by Independence Middle School
Principal David Muench.
56
BETHEL PARK
the Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards.
The certificate signifies that Matthew
was among the top 10 percent of
Pennsylvania students who were entered
into this year’s program.
Additionally, Matthew received the
President’s Volunteer Service Award,
which recognizes Americans of all
ages who have volunteered significant
amounts of their time to serve their
communities and their country, which
included a letter and certificate from
President Donald Trump.
Matthew was recognized for his
support of active and former members of
the military, sending boxes to deployed
soldiers, containing letters written by
students, as well as supplies and clothing.
Matthew decorates every box he sends
with pictures that are customized to the
recipients. He works on this every day
during his lunch period and at home.
He was inspired to do this by
Independence Middle School Social
Studies Teacher Jennifer Makel, who
shared the story of her father’s military
service in Vietnam with him. Matthew
wanted to do something to make
active and former service members feel
appreciated.