Imagination, innovation and projects
By RHMS student Kira Zizzo; photos by Amanda Gin and Riley Irwin
On March 3, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) was illuminated with ingenuity, originality, aptitude and ambition at Imagination and Innovation night. The halls were lined with iLab projects that students worked on for two quarters. Voices reverberated around the building as students competed for votes to be one of the top 10 iLab projects and the opportunity to win a field trip to the Google facility in Boulder.
The pressure was on as students presented their iLab projects to the public. Eleven students created the top 10 iLab projects, including Castle Pines residents Colin McGeary, Bella Wheeler, and Camille Leach, as well as Bryce Scherschligt, Sarah Flowers, Caden Brester, Gabe Rivera, Jeriann Villegas, Erick Lenzi, Emilia Rutsch and Aaliya Kikumoto. The other iLab projects that did not win were also quite stunning, and it was visible that all students worked hard.
Winners Leach and Villegas formulated the idea of making recycling bins out of water bottles to reduce environmental harm. Leach said, “We thought that it would help the environment because it doesn’t use as much waste and pollution.”
McGeary and partner Scherschligt were curious to find out how factories made model airplanes. Using a 3D printer, the duo pursued a business where people send in their blueprints to be printed, and then the results are returned to the sender.
One of the main support beams in the bridge to the success of Imagination and Innovation night and the iLab projects was RHMS art teacher Lori King. King’s hard work and creativity made the Imagination and Innovation night possible. “I liked the philosophy behind iLab. Students get to research a subject that interests them. I know that I did a lot better in school subjects that I had an interest in,” said King.
Imagination and Innovation night did not just feature iLab projects. The Debate team showed their skills on stage, poets did a “poetry slam,” and those students with a passion for technology showed off their creations from the Robotics club. Even the culinary classes participated by making and selling scrumptious burritos.
RHMS’s imagination and innovation night showcased creativity such as Erick Lenzi’s self-driving car project.
“I look forward to Imagination and Innovation night every year because it’s a chance to show our community many of the great things we do at Rocky Heights Middle School,” said King.
Overall, Imagination and Innovation night was a successful event with brilliant projects displayed, new opportunities created, and creativity expressed.
Camille Leach and Jeriann Villegas made recycling bins out of water bottles to reduce environmental harm. “We thought that it would help the environment because it doesn’t use as much waste and pollution,” said Leach.
