Obsidian Middle School students enjoy gaining some tech-savvy problem-solving experience

(Update: Adding video and comments from students )

REDMOND, Ore (KTVZ)-- Some Obsidian Middle School eighth-graders got a chance Friday to take hands-on learning to a whole new level, collaborating to build tech projects as they gear up not only for for high school but for possible future careers.

The "Make-a-Thon" is a special event that takes place in the spring, for eighth-graders who are heading to Ridgeview High School in the fall.

The Make-a-Thon took place in the library, teaching students some technology skills while helping them find their passions in today's high-tech world

"In the Make-a-Thon, we lead all students through some introductory coding activities to build a base set of skills," said Mike Nye, the Redmond School District's assistant director of instructional technology."

I spoke with a student who explained that he was working on combinations. He had the math equations on his laptop, and had to solve the equations in order to move on. If he was wrong, there was a little buzzer that beeped, letting him know to try again.

I asked Jordynn King if she can see herself getting a job one day in programming and software.

"I feel like if I were to be a programmer, I would probably learn something new every day, and I just think that that’s cool," King said.

Another set of students was working on cars of the future.

Diane Robles said, “We are working on making a self-driving car that senses objects in front of it, so it stops."

Caitlynn Pigg and her group worked on ways to keep an animal safe. 

“He doesn’t want his pet to escape, so what we decided to do is as the water rises the -- there’s a floatation device on the water," she said. "And then it lifts the lever, and once the lever gets too high, it sets off an alarm system that’s connected to his house, and also flashing lights.”

Students and teachers from Ridgeview's CTE (computer and technical education) classes helped students in the Make-a-Thon, along with sharing some information about what lies ahead in high school, and their own experiences.