The Ron Clark Academy has set the bar high when it comes to excellence in academics. Everyone identifies the school by its innovative teaching practices and of course by the smart, outgoing kids who shake your hand firmly and rock out on top of their desks singing academic songs to the beat of their own drum. Now the school has taken things up a notch and have partnered with Staples to give students a chance to help create and design school products that solve real-life problems.
This is Staples’ first Designed by Students program which let students from two middle schools, MS88 in Brooklyn, N.Y. and the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Ga. participate in a curriculum to foster creative thinking and teach students about designing innovative products. The program provides an original, educational experience to students. Staples also donated donated $50,000 to both schools as part of the program.
What’s so special about this program? The mere fact that kids used their noodle to design supplies for other kids! For instance one of the kids created a contraption that helps students keep their lockers neat and clean, while another designed a backpack to help kids stay organized and free of clutter and papers.
“Our students’ collaboration with Staples has been one of the most innovative and engaging projects I have seen during my time in education,” said Ron Clark, co-founder of The Ron Clark Academy. “By listening to the opinions and needs of our youth, Staples has been able to create products that speak to the desires and tastes of the new generation; and therefore, as always, Staples is completely in tune with the demands of the market.”
This program is a winner for several reasons. It fosters creativity in the minds of kids and they get to work hard and see their ideas come to fruition. That alone propels kids into wanting to be an entrepreneur.
Kudos to the Ron Clark Academy. And be sure to visit Staples June 28th when these products become available!
The Designed by Students products include exclusive folders, pencil pouches, backpacks, lunch bags, locker shelves and portable desks that all feature multiple uses. Available in multiple color combinations utilizing hot tones of grey, neon green, purple, pink, red, and blue, the Staples Designed by Students product line features:
The Big Pen: This colorful all-in-one writing instrument and pencil case features interchangeable writing tips, zipper pocket for small accessories, a built-in pencil sharpener and extra-large eraser. ($8.99)
Big Props Pencil Case: A pencil case in eye-catching color combos, this pencil case not only stores multiple writing instruments and accessories, but also props up most phones, small books and mini-tablets. ($7.99)
Super Folder: The ultimate folder for getting super organized! Available in super color-combinations, this multi-purpose folder includes storage areas, a zipper pouch, clear pockets for class schedules, a pencil sharpener, sticky notes and a writing pad. ($12.99)
Portable Desk: Do classwork anytime, anywhere with this colorful portable desk with a smooth writing surface. Desk also includes interior compartments for notebook and pencil storage and has a side slot for headphones and power cords. ($39.99)
Tray Desk: Create a simple workspace with the Tray Desk featuring an interior base that doubles as a dry erase board and smooth writing surface. The Tray Desk includes inside mesh pockets for writing essentials and a horizontal pocket to hold papers in place. ($29.99)
The Bag: Make taking lunch to school a cinch with The Bag which includes a fork and spoon combo in a hidden compartment handle. Colorful and made of dishwasher safe silicon material, it folds flat for convenient storage ($12.99)
Accordion Bag: Get a backpack that flexes with your ever-changing schedule. The Accordion Bag, available in popular color combos, expands and shrinks when you need it and has plenty of pockets to keep everything organized. It includes two padded compartments for tech devices up to 15”, multiple pockets for accessory storage and a water bottle. Secondary compartments with organization pockets are included with key clips and expanded gusset for extra storage. ($45.99)
Back2Back School Bag: Tote school essentials in this square-shaped school bag that provides wider storage space, water bottle pockets, and a breathable and detachable compartment for additional storage. Available in several color combinations, this bag also includes two compartments for tech devices up to 15”. ($52.99)
Floating Locker Shelves: Add a pop of color and maximize locker space! The Floating Locker Shelves in reversible hot color combos create four triangular sections for storing school essentials. ($12.99)
For additional information on Designed by Students, please visit www.staples.com/designedbystudents
Thank you to Staples for the giftcard. All opinions are my own.
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