Within Oakland University’s Honors College, the final project for each group was to develop a creative idea that could significantly benefit the lives of others. Students were tasked with conceptualizing solutions to real-world problems and presenting their projects in a structured format that included every key component, from initial inspiration to implementation strategies.
“We really wanted to focus on something that would have a tangible impact,” freshman Madleen Zirnsak said. “It was amazing to see how our ideas came together when we combined all different perspectives from psychology, education and public health majors. This has shown me how important it is to apply what we learn in college to solve real problems. It’s not just about getting a grade; it’s about making a difference.”
The main goals of the project were to encourage students to think critically about societal needs and to challenge them to apply their academic skills in innovative ways. Each group was given the freedom to choose a topic they felt passionate about, resulting in a diverse range of projects aimed at tackling issues such as mental health, environmental sustainability, education and healthcare accessibility.
“Working with a group made this experience even more rewarding,” freshman Sophie Miller said. “Everyone brought something different to the table, and it was amazing to see how all of our ideas came together. We wanted our project to focus on a problem that often gets overlooked. For us, it was all about finding a way to make a small but meaningful difference.”
Beyond the classroom, the Tools Project aimed to instill in students a sense of responsibility to use their education for the greater good. By focusing on projects that address real-world issues, the Honors College hopes to inspire students to continue pursuing meaningful work after graduation.
“The hardest part was making sure our idea was practical and sustainable,” Zirnsak said. “It’s easy to come up with solutions, but turning them into something actionable is a whole different challenge. We decided to make an app designed to give tickets to concerts or events to children in hospitals.”
Many groups chose topics they were deeply passionate about, ranging from mental health awareness to environmental sustainability. By working together, students not only developed innovative ideas but also gained valuable experience in teamwork and project planning, skills that will benefit them in their future careers.
“This project challenged me to think critically and step out of my comfort zone,” Miller said. “It was amazing to see how much we could accomplish as a team. We wanted our project to inspire others to take small actions that can make a big difference. And even though we faced a lot of challenges during the planning process, it was all worth it and finding creative solutions made our project even stronger.”
Oakland University’s Honors College continues to foster a culture of innovation and service, empowering students to use their knowledge to create positive change. For more information on the Oakland University Honors College, visit their OU webpage.
