The Kyrene Gifted students who participated in the annual district-wide Gifted Showcase Night on May 6 created a volcanic landfill, a new tea to help those with epilepsy and an app to monitor kids’ time spent on devices to help prevent addiction.

Every student was instructed to find a personal-interest issue to investigate and then devise a solution within the overarching theme: World Solutions.

Many students crafted inventive solutions aimed at protecting the environment, bolstering mental well-being, and creating food products specifically designed to help people with chronic health problems.

"The 5th Grade Gifted Showcase gives students the opportunity to demonstrate what's possible when young minds tackle real-world challenges," said Beth Snyder, Kyrene's Gifted & Talented Coordinator. "These are tomorrow's innovators, and this event was designed to celebrate exactly that."

One student from Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School looked around and saw many of his peers spending far too much time on their phones, so he created “The Super Time Monitor," an app designed to help parents monitor their child’s screen time. Parents can set time limits on their child’s devices, and if their child is spending too much time on their device, they receive advice and information about how and where to find professional help for their child.

Many students designed solutions to help others, including one student from Kyrene de los Niños Elementary School, who sought to help athletes with type 1 diabetes.

He created an energy drink made with oranges, peaches and more ingredients good for balancing blood sugar. The drink is specifically designed to help regulate an athlete’s blood sugar while working out.

From environmental solutions to health innovations to digital wellness tools, the breadth and thoughtfulness of student work on display made one thing clear: Kyrene kids are paying attention to the world around them and they're ready to bring forward innovative ideas to help solve some of its biggest problems.