Jordan High Team Improves Community Transit

A team of eight juniors from Jordan High School earned third place in the Americas region in the Made to Move Communities global student challenge hosted by Otis Worldwide Corporation.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) competition partnered teams from 14 schools across nine countries and regions with Otis mentors to develop sustainable solutions to real-world mobility challenges seen in their communities.

The student team from Jordan focused on improving the challenges found within the public transportation system during the coronavirus pandemic by reimagining the transit bus system. The team proposed an app to track the number of city bus passengers and identify the best and safest time to ride. The proposal also researched air filtration and purification systems to help riders feel safe.

“We applaud the dedication and ingenuity that each participating student demonstrated while developing solutions to mobility challenges facing communities hit hardest by the COVID pandemic,” Otis President and CEO Judy Marks said. “At Otis, we care deeply about nurturing a passion for STEM education for future generations, and we are committed to equitable access to mobility for all. We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of all who participated.”

This year marked the inaugural year of the challenge and included student teams from Brazil, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, Spain and Singapore. Students spent eight weeks working with teachers and Otis mentors and presented their ideas to a virtual panel of Otis leaders, who then carefully evaluated the presentations and selected the winners.

“This was quite a challenge to organize a group of students in our current teaching situation, but this group of individuals came together to create something outstanding and truly meaningful to our community,” Jordan Teacher Kelly Meade said. “Their collaboration and dedication to the project showed great resilience in a time of uncertainty. We would also like to thank Long Beach Transit’s Mike Gold and Jocelin Padilla for their contribution to student research. Our students are made to move communities!”

By Kyle Owens