Shawnee Students Compete for a Spot in the Regional FlexFactor Competition

Shawnee High School students competed for a spot in the Regional FlexFactor Competition on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Out of the 20 Shawnee teams who presented, two will advance to the regional event on April 21, 2023 at Sinclair Community College. 

First place was awarded to Noah Belcher, Tyler Wells, Dorian Green, and Elle Wissel for their project Speeding Prevention Electronic Device (S.P.E.D.). This product is an after-market sensor and app that can be installed in vehicles. It sends speed limit recommendations to the driver based on current road and weather conditions while also providing real time information and updates to parents or guardians. The four students presented their product to the panel of judges and answered questions following their group presentation.

Billy Zanish, Nikoli Beers, Myranda Warziak, and Haylinn Salyers earned second place for Wildlife Detection System. This product will detect vehicular collisions with wildlife. The sensor can be installed on a vehicle and will alert both the driver and the animal of the potential collision while on the road. Zanish presented the product to the panel and answered questions on behalf of his team. 

These two teams have been invited to present at Sinclair Community College for the Regional FlexFactor Competition on April 21, 2023. 

The FlexFactor program, by NextFlex, is a collaborative STEM and entrepreneurship program that encourages students to develop critical thinking, creative reasoning, and problem-solving skills. FlexFactor is a curriculum that is designed for high school teachers to integrate into their classrooms.

The 20 teams represented four different Shawnee courses including: Academic Success, Principles of Engineering: Computer, Applied Chemistry, and Engineering Design taught by Ms Elizabeth Nelson, Mr. Jeff Collins, Mr. Bob Delong, and Mrs. Rosie Matthies.

The project and competition required students to first identify a problem to solve. Students were encouraged to identify an issue that they were passionate about or connected with. They researched the problem throughout the semester to find a solution. After developing a product solution, each team built a business model and marketing plan to support their product. 

Finally, they pitched their solution to a panel of academic and industry professionals, “Shark Tank style,” said Matthies. After hearing each team's product pitch, the panel of judges had the opportunity to ask questions about the problem and product solution. 

Clark-Shawnee would like to thank our local community leaders who served on the panel of judges: 

• Jacob Babb - Structural Engineer

• Trish Burke-Williams - Sinclair Community College

• Dr. Chris Crouse - Air Force Research Laboratory 

• Dennis Delong - Owens-Corning

• Amy Donahoe - Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development

• Becky Humphries - ODOT, Civil Engineer

• Nick Morris - FlexFactor

• Rob Rue - Littleton & Rue, Springfield Assistant Mayor

• Dr. Laura Thompson - Family Physician

• Kaitlyn Tyler - Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Talent Coordinator

• Brian Yontz - Wittenberg University, Education Professor 

During the 2021-2022 school year, Shawnee sent four student teams to present at the FlexFactor Regional Competition at Sinclair Community College. Two of the Clark-Shawnee teams placed in the top three at the event. 

First place team: Dorian Green, Noah Belcher, Tyler Wells, and Elle Wissel, presenting S.P.E.D. to the panel of judges.

Second place team: Billy Zanish presenting Wildlife Detection System on behalf of his teammates Nikoli Beers, Myranda Warziak, and Haylinn Salyers.