Student Inventors Pitch Ideas to Community Leaders for Klein Creates Finals
The Klein Creates Innovation Challenge pushed teams of students to create the next big idea!
An Innovation Challenge is an opportunity for students to employ innovation and creative problem-solving skills to create a solution to a problem. For Klein Creates, teams imagined a prototype to solve meaningful problems they identified for themselves, their families, and their local communities.
“I am always so impressed with the creative intuition and problem-solving skills of our remarkable students that are beautifully on display at the Innovation Challenges,” Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown said. “This year’s Innovation Challenge in particular showcased not only our students’ imagination and excellent researching skills, but also how they thoughtfully present their brilliant ideas to judges.”
After months of researching, creating, and attending a district-wide Day of Design, the top 3 teams were selected from each grade level (elementary, intermediate, and high school).
Elementary Finalists
- Avocado Architects from Hassler Elementary
- DUP Backpack from Benignus Elementary
- Jags in Jupiter from Haude Elementary
Intermediate Finalists
- Team Doerre Intermediate
- Pollution Busters from Strack Intermediate
- Mind over Matter from Krimmel Intermediate
High School Finalists
- KATS – Klein Acing Travel & Safety from Klein High School and Hassler Elementary
- Medical Inventions from Klein Cain High School
- Nutrimake from Klein Cain High School
On Pitch Day, teams arrived at the Science and Innovation Center at Lone Star College-University Park. President of LSC-UP Dr. Shah Ardellan was one of the four judges.
“Leadership in innovation is another shared strength and joint commitment that highlights the partnership between LSC-University Park and Klein ISD,” Dr. Ardalan said. “It was an honor to host this iconic event on our campus and a privilege to witness our nation’s future environmentalists, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Kudos to Klein ISD’s exceptional team of teachers, staff, and administrators who inspire these students every day.”
Joining Dr. Shah at the judges’ table was Ms. Marlissa Briggs, President of North Houston Association, Mr. Bobby Lieb, President & CEO of Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Tan Tran, Co-Founder & CEO of GameSalad, Inc.
Teams faced the judges and pitched their innovations one at a time. Innovations ranged from Edible Napkins to apps that help you find and share recipes with friends! We had one multi-age team from Hassler Elementary and Klein High School who created an App called KATS – Klein Acing Travel and Safety.
“I am an anchor on our Hassler news crew team, so I enjoy talking in front of an audience,” said Brady Kroon from Hassler Elementary. “And Colby from Klein High helped us prepare our lines, so it made me feel confident to speak in front of the judges.”
After all of the teams were finished pitching their innovative ideas, the judges had the hard job of naming first place for each level.
Congratulations to the following teams for winning first place!
- Elementary – DUP Backpack from Benignus
- Intermediate – Mind over Matter from Krimmel
- High School – Nutrimake from Klein Cain
“We spent a lot of time on our app Nutrimake,” said Sunny Kim, Junior at Klein Cain High School. “This experience really helped us with our presentation skills, being able to talk to judges and a lot of people from all different backgrounds. It is really rewarding being recognized for first place.”
Student Teams were also given the opportunity to tour the Lone Star College-University Park campus! Thank you to our amazing community partner, LSC-UP, and the outstanding student tour guides who offered their time to show our students around the campus.
We are so proud of all of our teams who participated in this year’s Innovation Challenge – Klein Creates! It was a fun experience that built critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills in each of our scholars.
To see all the pictures from Klein Creates Pitch Day – click HERE.
Best Public Schools in Texas
Klein ISD has an established 84-year history of excellence and innovation in education with unique pathways for EVERY student in our care to ensure learners are college, career, military, and life ready. With recognition for STEM, athletics, fine arts, and academics from highly-esteemed organizations, it is clear that Our Shared Vision of every student entering with a promise and exiting with a purpose is a reality for EVERY student who walks through our doors.
About Klein ISD
Klein ISD is a school district in Klein, Texas, located in northwestern Harris County. The district spans approximately 88 square miles and serves more than 53,000 students in 33 elementary schools, 10 intermediate campuses, one high school program of choice, and 5 high schools.
Help Us Share Your Story
There are so many incredible individuals in the Klein Family making a lasting impact on our community. We want to recognize and celebrate our leaders and learners that are cultivating talent, building relationships, reimagining learning and making Promise2Purpose a reality daily. Share your story here: https://kleinfamily.net
