Blue Springs School District

BSSD is basking in the spotlight thanks to the creativity of a group of middle school students and engineers from Burns & McDonnell. This spring, “Light Lab,” a more than $1 million innovative exhibit-winning concept from the Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition, was opened to the public Science City at Kansas City’s Union Station.

Students from Delta Woods Middle School, who won the first Battle of the Brains grand prize in BSSD history last year, had the first opportunity to see their ideas brought to life as the largest display at Science City. A year-long partnership with Burns & McDonnell engineers is now a stunning permanent exhibit that takes visitors through a rainbow-lit hallway that bursts into a spectrum of light exploring radio waves, ultraviolet light and gamma rays.

DWMS seventh grader Kara Sexton originally presented the concept of exploring light to her BOTB teammates, and after a yearlong collaboration with Burns & McDonnell engineers, architects and construction professionals, the entire team was stunned to see it all in person.

“We had this idea and then we got to see it come to life in real time - just not on paper - but actually be an experience that people get to see and do,” Kara said.

Light Lab marks the eighth student-inspired exhibit Burns & McDonnell has built at Science City. Visitors can take part in nine experiences: Color Fusion, Vein Vision, Spectral Inspector, Cosmic Comms, Laser Quest, Refraction Action, Harness the Light, Vivid Van Glow and Silhouette Shuffle. Each zone demonstrates how light and the electromagnetic spectrum shape our daily lives. 

The exhibits are hands-on; visitors can see their veins with infrared light, draw on walls with ultraviolet light and explore wavelengths of different elements. BSSD Science Instructional Coach Annalisa Stonner and DWMS instructor Brendon Riggs were the team sponsors throughout the process and Stonner said the journey to the finished project was something students will never forget.

“Our students were amazed to learn all the steps it takes to turn a concept into reality,” she said. “From writing their proposal to working alongside architects, designers and construction professionals, this has been an amazing experience. And the finished project is phenomenal.”

Light Lab’s opening ceremony was a spectacle that matched the vibrance of the exhibit, including drummers, streamers and plenty of bright lights. BSSD administration, school board members and city leaders were on hand to see the unveiling.

BSSD Superintendent Dr. Bob Jerome said Light Lab is a shining example of the innovation of BSSD teachers and students. 

“The Battle of the Brains competition has served as a platform for inspiration and innovation for thousands of students and our school community always looks forward to the opportunity to compete,” he said. “Our students continue to excel, guided and supported by the outstanding teachers and staff throughout the BSSD. I’m excited for everyone to experience what our students have created.”

Union Station’s Science City is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Kara Sexton, a seventh grader, said seeing the exhibit fully lit up for the first time on Tuesday was shocking.

Seventh grader Jace Adams said they met at the company’s headquarters to start learning about the design process.

“Then they talked to us in the school about the whole engineering design process, how cool that is,” Jace said. “Then we toured the facility of the work in progress, got to see it behind the scenes, and now we’re here.”