Vark Tank
Vark Tank is a highly anticipated unit in the seventh grade. Students take on the roles of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs as they conceptualize and create prototypes of their own inventions.
The Vark Tank is an example of the OES inquiry cycle in action. Students explore new ideas, conduct research with people in the community who know about their chosen topic, create a prototype, test and refine it, and then present their final product. They learn how to be polished presenters who can influence their audience as they compete for investments from the Vark Tank judges.
2025 Vark Tank
The current Vark Tank challenge is to make a product that will mitigate the effects of climate change. Examples included a solar-powered robot to extinguish forest fires where they start, a sink that combines capturing water and composting, a robotic bee that kills parasites in hives and keeps away predators, and a self-powered athletic shoe.
EC3 Design Center
The students make the prototypes of their inventions in the EC3 Design Center, which is the “maker space” at OES. They begin with a paper drawing, proceed to a cardboard prototype, and then make a more sophisticated prototype from a selection of recycled materials.
Vark Tank Judges
The Vark Tank judges are faculty and staff, and they offer feedback and encouragement when judging and deciding where to invest their imaginary $200,000.
The students are always excited to share their inventions and the Vark Tank judges are consistently impressed by the students’ ingenuity and creativity.
