Aldine Student Team Wins Design Competition For METRO Bus Shelter

HOUSTON —Eight teams of students in Aldine ISD were tapped by the METRO to compete for the chance to design bus shelters that will be built in their community.

Six teams from Blanson CTE High School competed against students from Aldine Nimitz and Aldine Eisenhower High Schools in Aldine ISD, and it was the students from the Eisenhower team who topped them all.

The contest, which is designed to the districts STEM program, started with 50 teams from across the district before narrowing to eight finalists.

Last month, each team presented a 3-D printed model of their design along with a short presentation explaining their prototype to METRO staff.

"All of the teams articulated their concepts very well and followed the guidelines we gave them, and it was difficult picking just one winner," said Roberto Treviño, executive vice president of planning, engineering, and construction. "We could tell all the teams worked hard on their project and presentation."

The groups were judged on their presentation skills, creativity, design concept, budget, 3-D printed model sample, and team work. The winning design was a sleek, curved structure that provided more seating and a solar panel which powered lighting.

METRO's President and CEO Tom Lambert announced the winners of the contest at Aldine's Day of Design this past weekend. Lambert said he was thoroughly impressed with the students' designs.

“We intend to build the shelter designed by the winning team in the Aldine ISD area and incorporate elements of each of the bus shelter concepts presented,” said Lambert. "The best part will be involving the students in the construction process."

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