Farrington High School’s Engineering Academy students unveiled their World Surf League (WSL) ‘legacy’ project Thursday morning to a group of lawmakers, Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) leaders, community partners and alumni. The mobile merchandise trailer, built from the ground up by more than 200 students, will be used by the WSL to sell t-shirts, stickers and other merchandise at surf meets.
In a nondescript workshop at the edge of Farrington's campus stands a testament to the collective talent and determination of the Kalihi school's Engineering Academy students, who for the past year have been plugging away at the special project.
The international organization, which runs most of the world's premier professional surf competitions, tapped the expertise of Farrington students to design and build a mobile merchandise trailer for WSL to use at local events. The trailer will essentially be a storefront on wheels that can be transported to surf meets and parked on the beach.
Building upon research and work done last year, students in Farrington’s Design Technology, Metal Technology, and Building and Construction classes spent this school year transforming their designs and model-sized prototypes into a life-size, 20-foot trailer.
The students divvied up the work among teams to focus on areas including structural soundness, aesthetics and ensuring the trailer is "street legal.”
Lead engineering academy teacher credited with motivating students' success
Jeremy Seitz, lead teacher for Farrington’s Engineering Academy, said the dedication of his students has been inspiring as he’s watched this project come to life.
“It’s been motivating as a teacher. It’s what got me to work every day, seeing them do what they’ve done and helping them see what they’re truly capable of, and seeing them happy and excited to come to school,” Seitz said.
Seitz’s students credit his teaching style for their success, saying he challenges students by giving them the independence to experiment and solve problems.
“I make it clear that I will guide them and provide the resources and I will make sure that when they fall, I’ll pick them up. But they are responsible for the work,” Seitz said.
“They’re amazing, intellectual, confident kids, " he said. "My approach is not to prevent them from failing but to help them understand that failure is a part of life.”
Seitz, who has taught at Farrington for 13 years, said he’s always incorporated hands-on learning for his students, but the WSL merchandise trailer project was the first opportunity to have a project-based lesson span all of the Academy’s classes, including core subjects.
Students in Design Technology turned drawings into blueprints and digital mockups. Students in the Building and Construction and Metal Technology classes built miniature models scaled to size. The project was also tied into Expository Writing, Physics, and Global Studies and Geography.
Seitz said the students received an unparalleled learning experience.
“It’s been a fantastic experience for the kids,” he said. “They got real-world experience. They got validation about the work that they’re doing. And just the professional skills: being able to collaborate; being organized; having to work with a client; having to provide the client with what they needed and wanted. They really got a good professional learning experience.”
Seitz hopes the project showcases to the community and the public the kinds of innovative projects Farrington students are capable of doing.
At far left: Jeremy Seitz, head of Farrington’s Engineering Academy, with students who worked on the project. “This is more than a trailer, it is a symbol of the potential of Kalihi students,” said Seitz. “This project has enhanced the reputation of our academy and has given our students a valuable professional learning experience.”
Students say 'It's our baby'
"It’s more than just a school project — this is our baby, pretty much,” senior Kyle Pizarro said.
“It started as sketches to mini models to now this big structure. Looking at it now, it’s impressive,” he said, motioning to the towering structure with a big smile on his face.
The students said the opportunity to work on a real-world project for an international company was intimidating at first, but ultimately motivated them to do their best and take pride in their work. Students added that the WSL project has been more fulfilling than the types of projects students typically make in building classes, such as toolboxes and dust pans.
“Those kinds of things are good to know how to make, too, but having a partnership with a real company, it makes you realize how important it is not just to build something, but also to have the engineering and business experience,” senior Mary Buccat said.
Students say the WSL project will not only look impressive on their resumes, but serve as a source of tremendous pride for their school and community.
“This project is a really big step forward,” senior Jarius Chase Peralta said. “It puts all of us — all Farrington High School Engineering Academy students — a step ahead compared to our peers. Everyone’s going to know about it.”
“This is our legacy,” added senior Kimberly Delos Santos. “No other school can say they did something like this. And WSL chose us.”