Innovative Solutions
The Senior Design Capstone class is a year-long course co-taught by the Daniel Zalik Academy’s Director of Technology & Design, Chris Chapman, and Director of Science Research and Entrepreneurship, Adna Muliawan. This student-driven class focuses on project-based learning, using a human-centered design approach to identify community needs and develop solutions that benefit the local community.
As the fall semester closed, four capstone design groups, made up of 18 students, presented their work focused on the needfinding stage using a human-centered design approach. This design approach focuses on creating solutions considering the end user's needs, wants, and limitations. Students spent the semester conducting interviews with individuals who worked in their chosen fields, abstracting fundamental needs for their users, documenting current solutions, and developing preliminary prototypes to address those needs. They also worked on their public speaking skills, creating compelling slides, and navigating team dynamics, including framing difficult conversations and communicating expectations.
The groups focused on solutions for the following community needs: individuals struggling to access healthy, affordable meals, STEM education for children who might not otherwise have access to these resources, helping dogs with amputations live better lives, and access to menstrual products in schools.
Each group used Weber’s state-of-the-art DZA Fabrication Lab, equipped with professional-grade equipment, to take their ideas from inspiration to preliminary products. By the class's culmination, students will have refined their prototypes into fully realized solutions.
Head of School Ed Harwitz was impressed by the presentations, saying: "The dedication and hard work that these students are investing In their projects is evident through the innovative solutions they are developing to address real-world issues. The Senior Design Capstone Program of The Daniel Zalik Academy epitomizes how Weber students, under the direction of expert faculty like Mr. Muliawan and Mr. Chapman, demonstrate Jewish social consciousness and leverage their education, creativity, and commitment to serve and improve our world.”
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As the fall semester closed, four capstone design groups, made up of 18 students, presented their work focused on the needfinding stage using a human-centered design approach. This design approach focuses on creating solutions considering the end user's needs, wants, and limitations. Students spent the semester conducting interviews with individuals who worked in their chosen fields, abstracting fundamental needs for their users, documenting current solutions, and developing preliminary prototypes to address those needs. They also worked on their public speaking skills, creating compelling slides, and navigating team dynamics, including framing difficult conversations and communicating expectations.
The groups focused on solutions for the following community needs: individuals struggling to access healthy, affordable meals, STEM education for children who might not otherwise have access to these resources, helping dogs with amputations live better lives, and access to menstrual products in schools.
Each group used Weber’s state-of-the-art DZA Fabrication Lab, equipped with professional-grade equipment, to take their ideas from inspiration to preliminary products. By the class's culmination, students will have refined their prototypes into fully realized solutions.
Head of School Ed Harwitz was impressed by the presentations, saying: "The dedication and hard work that these students are investing In their projects is evident through the innovative solutions they are developing to address real-world issues. The Senior Design Capstone Program of The Daniel Zalik Academy epitomizes how Weber students, under the direction of expert faculty like Mr. Muliawan and Mr. Chapman, demonstrate Jewish social consciousness and leverage their education, creativity, and commitment to serve and improve our world.”
The Weber School
The Weber School, a Jewish Community high school serving students from all Jewish backgrounds, prepares students for success in college and in life with comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that inspire student exploration, leadership, and Jewish social consciousness. Many of our programs and academies are unique to Weber and can't be found at any other Atlanta-area high schools.
The Felicia Penzell Weber Jewish Community High School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
The Felicia Penzell Weber Jewish Community High School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
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