News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Twenty-seven high school students across the state participated in Tennessee Tech’s Governors School for Business Innovation and Technology last month.
Due to COVID-19 health concerns, students participated online for the first time. GSBIT Director Susan Wells said the virtual educational platform was a success.
“I’m a firm believer in you get out of something what you’re willing to put into it,” Wells said. “I was kinda concerned that these students would be a little lackadaisical because they were able to stay home. But no, they put into it, they got involved.”
Wells said the winning idea was “Sun Spot,” an adhesive you would put on your skin that would let the wearer know when to reapply sunscreen. The runner up was a fit bit like device that tests your sweat to determine dehydration, blood sugar levels, and ten other measurements.
“It was unusual that those were the two,” Wells said. “They have to create a non existent, innovative product. They don’t have to physically create it, but they have to design it, develop it, and create a business plan for it. So those were the two winning were the outdoor [products] which I thought was interesting because we’ve been indoors so much.”
This program was made possible this year through five dedicated staff members, Wells said. The main goal of the program was for the students to have so much fun they didn’t realize they were learning. She said the program reached that goal despite some technical difficulties and holding the program virtually.
