In late April, high school seniors from across the metro came together to show off their senior capstone projects during the Capstone Innovation Experiences 2022-2023 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

For the seniors, the event is the culmination of four years of work and study within Engineering Design and Development and/or Biomedical Innovation courses. During the showcase, students are in a pitch competition where they share their product ideas to investor judges, who then evaluate the projects and choose 10 winning teams.

Along with the Innovator Awards, students can apply for a Make it REAL scholarship. This is an opportunity for students to reflect on their capstone projects and Make It REAL experiences, sharing what they’ve learned along the way and how they perceive it will influence their future. Two Ruskin students placed in the Top 20 to earn the scholarship, Adriana Morfin and J’Zohn Pouncil.

Students who participated in the Showcase include:

• Mahnoor Shahid, Jacquelyn Diaz, and Samy Mouri – Detangling Medical Wires
• Irvin Cansio Abundiz and Reyna Salvador Jiminez – Squirrel RC Car Dog Toy
• Maleah West, Sunedus Bala, and J’Zohn Pouncil – Manual Stair Climbing Wheel
• Adriana Morfin and Elliana Wandick – Innovated Dog Muzzle

The Showcase was hosted by the KC STEM Alliance, who offers experiences designed to inspire and motivate Project Lead The Way (PLTW) engineering and biomedical science senior capstone students toward excellence; recognize and reward a job well done; and help students with innovative projects connect with resources and mentors in the business community.