Eighth graders participating in Career Discoveries at Clanton Middle School, which is the future Project Lead the Way (PLTW) class, have been learning how to apply the engineering design process to solve problems and understand the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives.

Students were placed in groups of four and had to come up with a team name, complete a portfolio, make a 1/4 scale drawing and model of the chair (using poster board), then create a chair out of cardboard. The only constraint was they could only use cardboard, no adhesives. The specifications were that the seat of the chair could only be 18 inches off the ground, the chair must have a back and the chair must hold the teacher for 60 seconds. The students were also evaluated on their work ethics and teamwork.