U of A Innovators Unveil Problem-Solving Prototypes at 2019 Demo Day

Raleigh Woods

University of Arkansas students gathered Friday, Dec. 6, at McMillon Innovation Studio to unveil their learnings and prototypes as part of the studio's annual Demo Day.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Addressing University of Arkansas faculty, local business leaders and Walmart Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon, eight student teams unveiled their learnings and prototypes as part of the 2019 Demo Day at the McMillon Innovation Studio on Friday, Dec. 6.

The students harnessed human-centered design principles to solve problems in retail, healthcare and food — everything from improving the sustainability of everyday products to bridging the digital divide.

Their projects addressed local issues as well, including improving trail access for residents of downtown Springdale and building an on-campus hostel to promote inclusivity among students.

"That's the beauty of the studio; it roots back to the problem," said Jessica Salmon, senior director of strategy and innovation for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which oversees the studio.

"There are a broad range of problems that we tackle, so we get a broad range of solutions," she said.

The design teams supported through the studio in the fall semester consisted of 46 student members representing 20 different majors. The students spent roughly 1,300 volunteer hours working on their prototypes.

Over the next semester, some of the groups will hand off their prototype for execution — either to the U of A or a relevant industry — while others will continue to fine-tune their work.

Kyle Berger, undergraduate director for the studio, said the venue is a special place that foments innovation.

"We're creating thoughtful leaders of tomorrow in this workspace today," Berger said.

Salmon said Demo Day helps students hone new skills such as public speaking and teamwork while allowing them to shape the future of commerce.

"These students will be the next generation of innovators. We're giving them a blank slate," Salmon said.

2019 design teams:

• Scope: Harnessing technology to improve patient access to doctors
  Project leader: Adaleigh Emerson
  Team: Lane Auth, Adam Jackson, Matt Nixon, Miguel Campbell, Grayson Morrow
  Mentors: Curtis Lowery, Tina Benton
• Scope: Providing seamless food access to food-insecure students
  Project leader: Odessa Elie
  Team: Cole Alvarado, Khern Toussaint, Matthew Walters, Jade Romain
  Mentors: Jonathan Phares, Rogelio Contreras
• Scope: Creating an affordable eco-friendly cleaning product
  Project leader: Grayson Lee
  Team: Catherine Kelley, Allan Slette, Gage Reed
  Mentors: Brooke Spenser, Zach Freeze, Phillip Turner, Ashley C. Hall
• Scope: Re-imagining campus spaces to foster inclusivity
  Project leader: Christofel Enslin
  Team: Charles Ringman, Laura Acosta, Jonathan Calandro, Sarah Caster, Jasmine Sylvia James
  Mentors: Beth Carls, Amy Looper, Amy Seay, James Flammer
• Scope: Improving trail access for NWA's minority communities
  Project leader: Josue Calderon
  Team: Grant Wilson, Will Beutelschies, Diana Aldaco, Adan Sanchez, Erika Chanthamart, Amanda Houston
  Mentors: Deven Daehn, Layza Lopez Love, Katie McCraney
• Scope: Designing an application that helps prevent food waste
  Project leader: Ali Bajammal
  Team: Pietro Malky, Abdul Ansari, Ange-Thierry Ishimwe, Sebastian Vivo
  Mentors: John Kent, Lee Slezak
• Scope: Creating a discreet, convenient option for on-demand contraceptives
  Project leader: John Kiefner
  Team: Isaiah Maina, Garrett Adams, Rachael Koehler, Reed Vierling
  Mentors: Joel Harris, Buster Arnwine, Rachel Ball, Amanda Dennison
• Scope: Cultivating a better understanding of benefits for part-time workers
  Project leader: Natalie Akers
  Team: Christy Rheinberger, Hayden De Voe, Brandon Fangio, Jared Spann
  Mentors: Andrew Lipson, Carmen Stanley

About McMillion Innovation Studio: The McMillon Innovation Studio exists to shape the future of commerce by developing and enabling students to be catalysts of innovation. The studio hosts interdisciplinary student collaboration teams and provides prototyping space for students and faculty across campus to connect and create together. Inside the studio, students have access to a maker space tools like CAD modeling and 3D printers, as well as a band saw, drill press, CNC and sewing machine.