‘PAR’Fect Project

STEAM TEAMS MEET PARK CHALLENGE WITH A ‘PAR’FECT PROJECT

BY KEITH TAYLOR, WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

FOUR ALLEN ISD STEAM CENTER CLASSES joined forces to participate in a nationwide challenge to convert parking spaces into something a little more green and welcoming to human beings – Parks.

Students from a variety of classes, including interior design, scientific research, engineering, and ag mechanics worked the entire month of September on the project to fit two miniature golf courses and refreshment stands into three parking spaces on Main Street in Downtown Dallas.

The effort paid off with the team capturing the Best Engineered/ Designed Parklet trophy awarded by the sponsor, Downtown Dallas Inc.

“It was a lot of hard work, but the students had a great time collaborating with other classes,” said Interior Design instructor Brandy Gilbert.

It was all part of the PARK(ing) Day Dallas to promote social interaction, civic engagement, critical thinking, and creativity through individual generosity and play. The event turns the streets of Downtown Dallas into a working urban laboratory, showcasing creative ideas from citizens, schools, and music from local entertainers. More than 80 students in the four classes were led by teachers Ms. Gilbert, Anthony Bailey, and Charles Logston for the project. Student leadership was provided by project managers Jacqueline Howell and Abigail Forrester from the Interior Design Practicum class as well as Evan Edwards and Parker Minter from the Scientific Research and Design class.

“I am very pleased with the involvement and engagement of students from the Scientific Research & Design Class at the STEAM Center exhibited during Park(ing) Day,” Mr. Bailey said.

He explained that the class was divided into project teams that individually developed two ideas for the project: a carnival games idea with giant Jenga and Skee Ball sets and a miniature golf challenge.

“Both groups had the chance to work through various phases of the Engineering Design process including generating solutions to a design challenge, building and testing design prototypes, and evaluating and reflecting on the success of their design,” Mr. Bailey said.

The class as a whole voted to select the miniature golf venture as the project to display.

“Additionally, the students were able to interact as a team with individuals outside of their normal community to share their design in a meaningful way,” he said.

The STEAM Center project was displayed on Sept. 15 on Main Street in Downtown Dallas in front of the green space of the famous “Eyeball” sculpture.