A whole new world is opening up for students at Rye Neck Middle School and F.E. Bellows through the district’s Independent Learners Program and 21st century initiatives. Gary Fallowes, founder and CEO of NewMetro Design, is taking students from brainstorming ideas to creating prototypes and launching inventions.
By Janice Llanes Fabry
A whole new world is opening up for students at Rye Neck Middle School and F.E. Bellows through the district’s Independent Learners Program and 21st century initiatives. Gary Fallowes, founder and CEO of NewMetro Design, is taking students from brainstorming ideas to creating prototypes and launching inventions.
“Fallowes engages young people in what Stanford University calls design thinking,” explained Enrichment Coordinator Valerie Feit. “Students learn how to engage with ideas as innovators. They work collaboratively to solve problems and meet the challenges of competition. We’re creating a shift in how they see the world.”
Dr. Feit introduced the inventor and entrepreneur to the District last fall when he was testing a new sand toy called Beach Stamps. His visit led to Fallowes’ Seek and Solvers Workshops at Rye Neck.
“We help kids open their minds and give them the permission and the freedom to be creative. They also need to know there are no wrong answers,” explained Fallowes. His most famous invention is BeaterBlade, a revolutionary mixer attachment for electric stand mixers.
The interactive Seek and Solvers is not just another run-of-the-mill software program — it encourages hands-on participation. Whether Fallowes asks students to create a product using paper clips or construct something that will protect them in a storm using only newspapers, the kids are inspired to invent out of their own experiences.
“When I encourage them to trust their imaginations, I see the little light bulbs going off,” he said brightly.
Students also learn the complexities involved — and the tenacity it takes —in bringing an idea to fruition. Fallowes brought Rye Neck students through the entire Beach Stamps process, from design to testing to patenting to production and marketing.
“We are delighted that our students have the opportunity to work with an inventor who takes their ideas seriously,” added Feit.
