In this work-from-home project, students created insulated cup holders designed specifically for coffee cups in the staff room. Following a rubric and clear instructions, students experimented with various materials to determine which offered the best insulation. They considered different options for materials, the potential use of lids, and how to effectively create insulated spaces around the cups. Additionally, they incorporated user-friendliness and artistic elements aligned with a winter theme. However, the insulation capability was the most critical aspect of the design and carried the highest weighting in the evaluation.

The cup holders were tested during class on the project due date, with temperature measurements recorded periodically as students continued other coursework. This process produced a clear and informative graph illustrating which designs performed best. Highlighting tangible results through this graph effectively demonstrated the impact of different design choices.

In the future, within my own classroom, I would provide a selection of materials for students and allow class time for project construction, offering broader access to resources. However, the flexibility of this home-based project led to diverse and unique designs. Some students displayed significant creativity, while others took inspiration from existing commercial products, adding personalized improvements.

Overall, connecting student designs to measurable outcomes, as demonstrated by the resulting graph, was a valuable way to showcase the practical effectiveness of their ideas.