Kyrene gifted students design creative solutions for world problems

A new kind of shelter to support people experiencing homelessness, a website to educate children about the problems caused by greyhound racing and a Kind Bot that delivers positive messages when you are sad.

These were just a few of the 5th-grade capstone projects presented by 200 Kyrene gifted students who participated in the annual district-wide Gifted Showcase nights on April 17 and 24.

Every student was instructed to find a personal-interest issue to investigate and then devise a solution within the overarching theme: world solutions. Many students crafted inventive solutions aimed at protecting the environment, bolstering mental well-being and simplifying household chores.

"Our students represent the future's problem solvers," Kyrene's Gifted & Talented Coordinator Beth Snyder said. "The 5th Grade Gifted Showcase was crafted to offer students a stage to showcase their creativity for addressing real-world challenges with creativity and innovation.”

One student from Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School created a robot designed to help children who are being bullied.

While it can’t stop physical harm itself, the Kind Bot can detect physical harm and alert a nearby adult to help. The bot can also send the child positive messages to help boost confidence when they are having a bad day, or it senses that they are sad.

Another student, from C.I. Waggoner Elementary School, designed a website that would shine a light on the dark side of greyhound racing with the goal of ending the practice. To make the subject more approachable, they included a glossary of terms, games, and a community tab for people to discuss ways to stop the practice.

The student wrote, “I believe that awareness is important to kids, especially on topics that aren’t widely known.”

Many students designed solutions to help their fellow humans, including one student from Kyrene de las Lomas, who sought to help end homelessness by creating shelters that prioritize access to healthy, balanced meals and mental health professionals.

Individuals who work in the large garden on site would be paid a small wage and be able to stay at the shelter for no cost.

"We're immensely proud of the imaginative prowess and innovative approaches displayed by our students in their projects,” Snyder said. “Witnessing their passion for enhancing our world is both inspiring and heartening."