This semester, my team and I were tasked with designing a custom playground for Magnolia Woods Elementary. Our goal was to create a fun, inclusive space for 3rd–5th grade students that encourages creativity, movement, and connection. We collaborated closely with the school community to better understand what the students wanted and made sure our design followed national safety standards.

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In addition to the creative aspects of the project, we also had to consider practical elements like planning, budgeting, and long-term maintenance. Balancing what the students hoped for with what was realistic within our constraints was a big part of the process and helped us think like real engineers.

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Outside of the design work, I also volunteered through Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) as a reading buddy. Spending time with students each week gave me a deeper understanding of their needs and made this project even more meaningful.