Students apply design skills to real world jobs

By Lydia Beers
Pilot News Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth High School business students are taking project-based learning to the next level. The group is creating print and graphic media products for real companies. For a fee (benefitting the Business Professionals of America club) businesses will receive quality design work done by up-and-coming high school students. Although they are still learning, technology teacher Jennifer Felke said that the students are excited about their new skills.

“They’ve created great designs,” said Felke, adding that working on a product that people outside the school will see is particularly rewarding for the students.

“When they know it’s not just a classroom assignment, they put a lot more work into it,” said Felke.

Nearly 40 students so far are a part of this venture, called the Technology Club. The club is currently developing a website for North Central Area Vocational Cooperative as well as improving the PHS website and doing print media for different departments in the school. One of their projects is to create posters and tickets for the upcoming Sweetheart dance, a particularly exciting opportunity according to Felke. Felke said that so many students were interested in designing for Sweetheart that she decided to make it a contest.

“We are very busy right now,” noted Felke.

The Technology Club is in the middle of eight projects, all being simultaneously worked on by different students according to their strengths.

“It’s a great collaboration,” said Felke of the different areas of design. “I try to focus in on different kid’s skills.”

The pricing of the work varies depending on the project, but “it will definitely be less than if (clients) went to a professional,” said Felke.

Businesses interested in commissioning the Technology Club for a project can email Felke at jfelke@plymouth.k12.in.us or call the school, 574-936-2178.

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News