Daniel showed what it meant to "be the change you want to see in the world". They looked at how they could develop and engage in their own learning and growth as an individual, as well as how their environment can develop and change around them. They took a lot of amazing personal steps towards understanding themselves as well as our community here at SCH. Daniel had a steady pace of work, with an understanding of how to push themselves through difficult learning and understanding as well as knowing when to slow down and take a reflective approach. Daniel practiced secondary research (learning about community practices through research) and they also did a tremendous amount of primary research (interviewing teachers and faculty in our community). Their skills in email communication, educational leadership, and community building grew so much through their project.

Paris Gramann | CEL Faculty

CC Stevenson designed and fabricated a unique high performance waterproof blanket that would be marketed to hikers and campers with the proceeds going to fund the production of blankets for the homeless population in Philadelphia. Using four high performance, but low cost fabrics including synthetic fleece for softness, mylar for heat retention, tyvek for water proofing and ripstop nylon for structure, CC created a multilayered solution that met all her design criteria. Her business model should satisfy both the commercial purchasers and donation recipients.

Peter Randall | Engineering & Robotics Department Chair 

This project is the ideal example of how a student can tackle an enormous problem using their own ingenuity and bootstrapping their way into a solution. Development and distribution of medical devices is a big, expensive business with major inequity issues. Anya spent her semester working to develop low cost hearing assistance devices which would then be distributed to people in need in developing countries.  She spent her time not only completing R&D for the device itself, but seeking out expert help in the form of mentors through the SCH community network and her own network. Anya’s desire to help others through innovation is an inspiring example for us all.

Ian Kreher | CEL Faculty

Ava and Cole have shown such strength in their teamwork abilities and tremendous strength in their creativity. Through a few difficult moments, they were able to practice communication skills, learn delegation, and navigate frustrating emotions together. They pulled off an excellent project with an immense attention to detail and research. They understood that their music program could not be completed in just one semester. Instead, they expertly chose to dig into the research, expert interviews, and budget and educational planning to lay the groundwork for a multiple year project. They showed resourcefulness by digging into their research so expertly. Your creativity in attacking a giant problem was unmatched. We can’t wait to see how you continue to use your creativity in years to come. 

Paris Gramann | CEL Faculty

Creativity involves something novel and unique that is somehow useful to people. Empathy involves putting yourself in the shoes of others to understand how they feel. Madison Scholl did an amazing job of combining creativity and empathy to develop her idea for a platform that allows students to learn new languages by working with peers who fluently speak a language they want to learn. Madison worked entirely independently in her efforts to research problems associated with how students struggle to learn languages in a traditional way while subsequently building a solution to address these challenges. I was fully impressed by Madison ability to learn how to design an intuitive and elegant website design that I fully believe can change the landscape of how students learn new languages. Congratulations, Madison.

Vince Day | Program Director for Computer Science & Interactive Technologies

Allie Stoddard set out to solve the plastic water bottle waste and recycling problem by simply eliminating the bottle entirely in high end water sales. Recognizing that no one bought bottled water for the bottle, she developed a system to sell just the water. She developed a credit card/phone based vending machine that sells reverse-osmosis filtered water with the option to add flavors or electrolytes. Her system used a Square tap-to-purchase credit card system linked to the internet that would trigger her Arduino based control system to dispense the water and flavors. Her prototype not only functioned but had the added benefit of dispensing water every time someone purchased an item at the SCH bookstore. Time for prototype #2.

Peter Randall | Robotics & Engineering Department Chair

Sophie, Dora, and Olivia have been great in their ability to take an idea to fruition through a complex organization like SCH. They called and emailed 20+ therapy dog organizations with little responses for many weeks. After continued communication efforts, they were able to connect with a therapy dog group, work with our school psychologists and head of school, and MAKE the therapy dog visit happen! With additional work towards creating a survey and petition (collecting data of how the event affected students + desire of students wanting therapy dogs on campus), the students are hoping to make a long lasting change to SCH! This change: therapy dogs could hopefully be a staple at SCH during high stress times for years to come!

Paris Gramann | Associate Director of CEL / Entrepreneur in Residence 

This team of aspiring entrepreneur-engineers spent their semester developing a business model for the installation of aftermarket self-driving technology in customers currently owned personal vehicles.  There was a very natural working dynamic between these three young men who easily settled into different roles, contributing to a well structured business plan and the early stages of marketing and customer outreach.  While there may be a way to go before they make their first sale or modify their first car, the progress they so beautifully summarized in their Showcase video has been substantial.

Ian Kreher | CEL Faculty