Special to 1808Delaware
The first cohort of the Visionaries Innovative Lab at Westerville Central High School is choosing a challenge they’d like to work on, including:
- A 16-year-old aspiring DJ from Atlanta needs a portable beginner-friendly DJ station so she can produce music on the go.
- An 8-year-old from North Carolina is looking for an alternative to the heavy backpack he uses to carry all the materials he uses during and after the school day.
- A fitness-minded 70-year-old woman wants to explore the world around her but is apprehensive about getting lost.
As part of the pilot program led by Columbus-based creative professionals, students will spend the next couple of months coming up with solutions to various real-world scenarios — and learning about essential elements in the design process along the way.
“We hope students walk away from this experience with confidence in their creative potential and a deeper understanding of how creativity can be applied to various fields,” said Christopher Summey, who teaches at Columbus State Community College’s Art, Design & Media department and owns a photography and creative business.
“By giving them the tools and freedom to explore, we’re helping them see that creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s an essential skill in any field.”
Summey is leading the lab with two other creative professionals: Joe Brim, owner of BELOW THE BRIM, a sole proprietorship that has launched employment brands, fashion labels, sourcing and production, and educational programming; and Curtis Smith, a digital media and infrastructure project specialist for Discover Financial Services who also owns a photography company.
The Visionaries Innovative Lab aligns with the District’s Portrait of a Graduate framework by building problem-solving, collaboration and critical thinking skills. For Summey, Brim and Smith, the lab was an opportunity to bring an authentic, industry-informed experience to students.
“According to Adobe, more than 50% of students believe there is an opportunity to be more creative in class,” Summey said. “We’re partnering with the school to engage in this together.”
Assistant Principal Tyler Holmes worked with Summey to bring the lab to WCHS, kicking off initial conversations about it over the summer. Holmes worked with engineering, digital arts, journalism, yearbook and business teachers to identify and connect with students who may be interested in the lab. He hosted an informational meeting for students in early September before launching the lab last month.
Holmes said the ultimate goal of the lab is to give students access to as many different opportunities — and connections — that could help shape their college and career decisions.
As part of the lab, students have been grouped into teams based on their creative style and interests, ensuring a balance of strengths within each group. They reviewed a set of challenges, selecting one that resonates with them. They will spend the upcoming sessions working on a solution, creating a prototype and developing a marketing plan.
Sophomore Payton Sapp thought the lab would be a great way to explore different areas of interests.
“I like just getting in touch with my creativity and collaboration skills,” she said.
Senior Lila Mederer said her business teacher suggested she participate given her interest in marketing.
“You don’t really get a chance in school to do a lot with professionals,” she said. “It’s a good way to test out if you want to do this when you are older by getting information from people who have done it already.”
Meanwhile, sophomore Kelly McSwords was curious about the experience.
“It sounded cool and I like trying new things,” she said. “I think that this could help me discover something I never knew I liked.”
Source: Westerville City Schools
