D214 innovation projects win governor’s praise

Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high school students joined pupils from 26 other participating Illinois schools April 11 in presenting reports from their Illinois Innovation Talent program projects.

The final projects were presented at the Forest View Education Center in front of their peers and challenge sponsors. Participating schools each received $5,000 stipends to cover project-related costs.

Rolling Meadows civil engineering and architecture and robotics students investigated alternative energies, specifically wind and solar power, while Wheeling explored the development of biomarkers for cancer, including considerations of cost, benefits and their social responsibility.

Wheeling students collaborated with Abbott Laboratories, while Rolling Meadows worked with Western Illinois and Illinois State universities.

The ILIT program, which has students team up with private sector companies or public agencies to compete and collaborate on real world, problem-based learning challenges, helps improve student achievement and optimizes college and career readiness.

Students competed and collaborated in a diverse set of fields, including agriculture, health care, energy efficiency, renewable energy, finance and transportation.

Illinois Innovation Talent also demonstrates one of the critical work-based learning functions of the proposed Science Technology Engineering and Math learning exchanges described in Illinois’ Race to the Top proposal.

“Innovation is key to ensuring our state’s long-term economic growth,” said Gov. Patrick Quinn. “This program is challenging Illinois businesses to be more innovative, while getting our future workforce ready for college and careers.

“Through the Innovation Talent Program, we’re helping to enhance the learning environment in Illinois and preparing Illinois students to compete in today’s global economy.”