Home News R2I2 STUDENTS CREATE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS DURING COVID CRISIS

R2I2 STUDENTS CREATE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS DURING COVID CRISIS

12/18/2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges but students and teachers at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2) Student Innovation Center are using this opportunity to pursue creative solutions and lighting the way for better times. R2i2 students in the 3D Printing and Design course helped manufacture face shields and mask adapters. They also manufactured over 100 document cameras that were distributed to teachers in the district to help with e-learning. These cameras are the modern day answer to an old projector and help teachers magnify and project objects for their entire classrooms.

Nicolas Jones is the 3D Printing & Design Instructor at the Student Innovation Center. "At R2i2 we know that every problem presents a chance for innovation. The pandemic was no different, so we tried to adapt our curriculum to not only help students succeed with their coursework but also create solutions for this challenging time. These projects reinforce the authentic learning that makes our programs so successful and involve our students to use their skills to create a local and global impact," said Jones.

Students from all five of the district’s high schools take courses at R2i2 including Next Energy Engineering, Culinary Arts: Pastry and Baking, Animation & B.E.A.T.S., Marketing and Social Media, and Apple App Development.

“Innovation is what we are about,” said Kevin Alberse, Director of the R2i2 Student Innovation Center. “I am proud of our team for using approaches that allow us to continue to offer high quality experiences to our students, help our district family, and keep each other safe, motivated, and grateful.”

During Phase Two of the district’s Reopening Schools Plan, R2i2 courses are offered virtually with the option of in-person instruction on Fridays. Cooking supplies for the culinary class and innovation kits for the other courses are provided to students to keep the innovation going during virtual learning.