Students of the Benjamin Logan High School digital design program delivered “Boxes of Smiles” this week to participating teachers, the product of a service project developed by the school’s chapter of SkillsUSA as a way to promote and encourage positive communication between students and teachers.
While students need encouragement and positive reinforcement during difficult times, so do their teachers, the project coordinators related.
“One very visible and motivating piece of feedback from a student to a teacher is a smile. Unfortunately, smiles are also mostly hidden this year (with students and staff members wearing masks),” the SkillsUSA Chapter members said.
“Teachers often use visual cues such as smiles to provide feedback about the lessons provided.”
Considering the unusual times and the need to spread positivity and encouragement to one another, the “Box of Smiles” project was developed.
Students developed this project from the start, with their instructor acting as a facilitator.
The pupils developed the parameters for box creation, settling on the minimum and maximum dimensions. They also discussed and decided on what should be included on the notes, surveyed teachers, then developed boxes based on the interests of the instructor for which it was designed. No two box designs are alike.
Each participating teacher received a box for retrieval of feedback notes provided by students, a stack of notes that include instructions for students, and a table tent explaining the purpose of the box and notes.
Students got a taste of project management, the design process, and creative problem-solving, the SkillsUSA Chapter members said.