The Ron Clark Academy Proudly Presents The Designed by Students Collection

June 10, 2015January 23, 2016 by Heather W.

A special thanks to Staples for sponsoring today’s conversation!

The Ron Clark Academy Proudly Presents The Designed by Students Collection #makemorehappen — Sasha Barausky, Director of Product Management at Staples, and Ron Clark of The Ron Clark Academy, join students and teachers to celebrate a $50,000 donation from Staples, Thursday, June 11, 2015, in Atlanta, after the students participated in Staples’ first-ever “Designed by Students” program. (Photo by John Amis/Invision for Staples/AP Images)

Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta has been recognized by Oprah and featured on national TV. They are a non-profit, private middle school (grades 5-8) and are best known for their unique approach to learning and the Harry Potter-inspired building (complete with dragon, giant indoor slide and two-story bungee jump.) The Ron Clark Academy students are driven by passion and energy and motivated by elaborately themed classrooms that create unrivaled learning settings.

The students at Ron Clark Academy recently had an opportunity to take their learning outside of the classroom and into the minds of other students across the country. They were challenged to help create and design school products that solve real-life problems! They defined the problem, researched products, collaborated to identify potential solutions, built prototypes and even pitched a final design concept. All of that while learning some valuable skills and gaining confidence in their everyday life. Their concepts were then turned into actual products that will be on national retailer shelves for all students to benefit for themselves.

I am excited to announce that the Ron Clark Academy is debuting these products for the first time during an Innovation Celebration with all participating students tomorrow, Thursday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. You will have the opportunity to attend this event at The Ron Clark Academy and view The Designed by Students Collection of products. These products will also be available at Staples stores and online starting June 28. The event is only 30 minutes long followed by ice cream for all to enjoy! Please join us in celebrating with the students at Ron Clark Academy located at 228 Margaret St SE in Atlanta.

More About Designed by Students

This back-to-school season Staples partnered with students for a user-centered perspective when designing back-to-school products. The program was designed to foster design thinking and teach students the design process through lesson plans and experiences. Students at schools defined the issues students’ face, researched products in the category, brainstormed to identify possible product solutions, built prototypes of their ideas and pitched a final concept. From the program, it became clear that students want school supplies that are smart and easy; comfortable and portable; shift in size to fit their needs and have pops of color.

The Designed by Students Collection is available in a variety of color combinations and includes: