June 14, 2024
FlexFactor is an outreach, recruitment, and STEM education program designed to familiarize K-12 students with advanced manufacturing technology, entrepreneurship, and the education and career pathways that can lead to a STEM career. The program was designed to showcase the promise of these careers and help students to develop the critical thinking, creative reasoning, and problem-solving skills needed for future success.
Scott County
About 28 students in Mr. Winstead's Industrial Maintenance classes at Forest-Scott County Career and Technology Education Center, representing all Forest Municipal School District and Scott County School District high schools, wrapped up their 8-week participation in East Central Community College's FlexFactor program with a formal pitch to a panel of "Shark Tank" style judges for a product that uses hybrid technologies to solve real-world problems.
Students had to identify a problem, conceptualize a product that would address that problem, and create a business plan to produce and sell their product. All conceptualized products include flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) technology with students conducting product, pricing, competitor, profit, marketing, and target audience research as part of their business pitches.
The product proposals included a device for detecting chemicals in meat, a walking decoy for turkey hunters, a device for monitoring health status in livestock, a FHE device for commercial solar-powered windows, and wearable vests and watches for athletic training, inflammation, and glucose levels.
Judges represented various industries including government, defense contracting, hunting and outdoors, business, and education.
This FlexFactor iteration, which introduces K-12 students to STEM fields, is made possible thanks to a partnership with NextFlex, AccelerateMS, East Central Community College, Forest Municipal School District, and Scott County School District. Participants completed the in-depth program under the direction of Heather Woodall, the College's FlexFactor Program Manager.
Newton Municipal
About 25 students in Health Sciences I & II classes at Newton High School completed their 8-week participation in East Central Community College's FlexFactor program with a formal pitch to a panel of "Shark Tank" style judges for a product that uses hybrid technologies to solve real-world problems.
The product proposals included a smart device that automatically administers medication using wearable technology, a personalized virtual reality universe with AI-empowered counseling to support mental health, auto-detection wearables to indicate possible oncoming anxiety attacks, and medical-grade smart rods to provide relief for patients suffering from spinal stenosis.
Judges represented various industries including mental health, nursing and healthcare, business, and education.
This FlexFactor iteration, which introduces K-12 students to STEM fields, is made possible thanks to a partnership with NextFlex, AccelerateMS, East Central Community College, and Newton Municipal School District.
For more information about FlexFactor visit: https://www.nextflex.us/ewd/flexfactor/
To learn more about pursuing STEM-opportunities, email go2ec@eccc.edu or call 601.635.6375.
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