Would you climb into the Shark Tank to pass a final exam?

Vicki Snyder-Chura
Posted 12/21/18

Production technology classes give students hands-on experience.

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Would you climb into the Shark Tank to pass a final exam?

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When RTHS students enroll in Kurt Wolter’s production/transportation class they are introduced to production (manufacturing and construction) and transportation technologies employed in the real world.

“They get involved in a wide range of hands-on learning activities using computer assisted design and analysis,” Wolter said. “Manufacturing activities include designing, assembling, servicing and distributing a product.”
The next level of Wolter’s curriculum is Production Technology 2 when the kids delve into materials and processes, manufacturing, construction, and servicing; a lot more hands-on activities and experiences.
In PT2 they learn to manage and organize people; research and develop products; produce and assemble goods; design and build structures; test and evaluate materials; generate plans and specifications; and market and distribute finished goods.  It’s more of a good thing if you’re a kid who’s always been fascinated by how things work.
This semester an exceptional quartet landed in Wolter’s PT2 class, so while designing his syllabus and final exam, he decided to up his game and make it fun.
“Their final exam project included a Shark Tank-like experience and I was the judge,” curriculum director Dr. David Perrin explained.

Shark Tank is the critically acclaimed, multi-Emmy award-winning reality show focused on bringing good ideas to life. It has become a culturally defining and inspirational series, amassing $100 million in deals offered by the “sharks,” a panel of tough, self-made tycoons looking to invest in American businesses and products.
The “sharks” are led by Mark Cuban, owner of AXS TV and 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. His cohorts vary from season to season and have included tech innovators, branding/marketing experts, philanthropists and other successful business veterans.
Contestants are entrepreneurs who pitch their products before the panel daring the “sharks” to put their own hard-earned money where their mouths are. In return, the “sharks” get a piece of what could become the next big thing.
Though working without an iconic red leather chair, Dr. Perrin was the lone shark in the tank when Wolter sent his team in to pitch: William Baez, Noah Knight, Alexie Smith and Matt Morey, all seniors.
“What we have is a tape dispenser which we designed and printed using the 3-D printer in the tech lab,” Baez explained. Knight provided the back story.
“Last year in PT1 we learned manual drafting, pencil to paper style first. That required taping our designs together as we worked. We used a lot of tape, so it just seemed obvious to come up with a dispenser that can sit atop the plans and dispense the masking taped used.”
Each team member took Dr. Perrin through their process from initial sketches to the final computer-aided drafting design and manufacturing & assembly process. Materials, time consumption and marketing and distribution plans were included.
Perrin scheduled a 15-minute presentation, but the kids were so animated; obviously so invested in this idea, they talked for 25 minutes.
“They were knowledgeable in answering all of my questions and enthusiastic about their product. They all seemed to have an appreciation for CAD and what they have accomplished,” Perrin observed.
“Matt Morey and William Baez want to pursue engineering careers. Lexie Smith is looking towards social work and children’s advocacy, will consider CAD (computer-aided drafting) a ‘back-up plan.’ Noah Knight will become a U.S. Marine (affording him many options). Kurt’s class has obviously made an impact on them,” said Perrin.