MS Design Lab - Shark Tank

Mr. Richards’ middle school Design Lab students have been hard at work bringing their creative ideas to life through a hands-on Shark Tank-style project. He describes the initiative as “a great way to blend 3D printing and modeling with marketing and entrepreneurship,” giving students a unique opportunity to tackle real-world problems with innovative thinking.

The project follows a structured six-step process, guiding students from initial ideation all the way to final presentation. Each phase—research, design, prototyping, testing, marketing, and pitching—is carefully documented and compiled into a portfolio. These portfolios are then reviewed by a panel of “sharks” during final presentations, giving students the chance to showcase both their product and their process.

Ideas coming out of the lab are as creative as they are practical, ranging from compact storage containers for items like medicine to automated locker openers designed to maximize efficiency during passing time.

This project exemplifies what MCA’s STEM Center strives to offer every student: meaningful, real-world learning that equips them with tools for innovation, critical thinking, and confidence in their ideas. Our classrooms are full of curious thinkers and creators, and through programs like this one, they’re empowered to turn their passions into purposeful work.