Scott Farrell
Special to the Express
On May 9, 31 students from Silver Lake Regional School District, in grades 7 through 12, proudly represented the district at the Industry Showcase held at The TRACK at New Balance in Boston. Sponsored by the One8 Foundation, this statewide event brought together more than 1,500 students to present innovative STEM projects and interact with professionals from various industries.
The showcase highlights how students apply classroom learning to solve real-world problems. Throughout the day, students presented their work and engaged in thoughtful discussions with industry professionals, receiving both oral and written feedback. These conversations offered valuable insight and real-world relevance, helping students better understand professional standards and expectations.
Now in its third year of participation, SLRSD continues to expand its presence at the event. This year’s projects represented a wide range of coursework, including 7th grade science, 8th grade technology/engineering, and engineering courses from grades 9 to 12. Senior Capstone students showcased long-term projects, including a stormwater debris mitigation system, redesigned protective hockey equipment, and a more efficient condiment bottle.
Students consistently described the experience as both challenging and rewarding. Many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak with experts who showed genuine interest in their work and helped validate the effort they’ve put in throughout the year.
The staff at SLRSD is incredibly proud—not only of the effort and creativity students demonstrated, but also of their professionalism and maturity in presenting their work. Events like this reflect the meaningful learning happening in our schools and the essential real-world skills our students are developing every day.