Engineering Seniors Showcase Innovation Through Yearlong Experience
Sixty high school seniors across three Hilliard high schools, twenty-one unique projects, and one “Best of Show” winner—this is the story of this year’s Engineering Design and Development (EDD) course, written and reflected by Hilliard City Schools senior engineering students.
Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, students enrolled in EDD dedicated themselves to solving real-world problems through hands-on engineering, collaboration, and creativity. Beginning in August, teams of seniors formed small groups to identify a problem and develop a clear statement of purpose, launching into a yearlong design process rooted in authentic engineering practice.
In this course, students engaged in a full engineering design cycle—researching existing patents, designing surveys, interviewing professionals, creating multiple concept sketches, and developing prototypes to bring their ideas to life. In January, teams presented their early concepts to a panel of professionals during an annual “Shark Tank” style feedback event. Using that feedback, each team refined their design and moved forward with a final concept.
On April 24, 2026, twenty-one teams came together at the Davidson Fieldhouse for the culminating EDD showcase and final competition. Students presented professional research posters, demonstrated their working prototypes, and answered questions from a panel of judges as they were evaluated on validity, uniqueness, concept, interest, presentation, poster design, and prototype functionality.
Across the board, the judges noted an exceptional year of student work. The showcase featured fully functioning prototypes, thoughtful research, and highly creative solutions to real-world challenges.
In the words of Hilliard Davidson EDD teacher Mr. Herring,
“EDD gives high school seniors an incredible opportunity to pursue an authentic engineering development process. It is a joy working with these highly motivated and talented young engineers.”
At the conclusion of the event, one team was selected as Best of Show: Reem Al-Adhami, Alex Mykytyn, Lily Daniels, and Ella Tornes, for their project Binder Bear.
Binder Bear is a multipurpose tool designed for paper sheet music users, featuring a page turner, stand extender, accessory holder, and kickstand. The team’s project stood out for its strong research, precise prototyping, and real-world functionality.
The team also impressed judges by demonstrating their prototype live with a piano performance, showcasing how their design seamlessly supports musicians in real time.
From the beginning, the Binder Bear team demonstrated creativity and dedication. Their work reflects the program’s broader goal of connecting student interests with real-world engineering applications.
Beyond competition, EDD is designed to provide students with meaningful, hands-on experience in the engineering field. Throughout the course, students gain valuable skills in research, design thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving—along with college credit and experience they can carry into future academic and career pathways.
As this year’s seniors reflect on their work, their projects stand as a testament to innovation, perseverance, and the power of student-driven learning across Hilliard City Schools.
