All the fun and flair of the College Trade Fair
18 Nov 2024
After extensive 鈥渂rainstorming and overcoming technical setbacks鈥�, students Gus Cummins and Tony Duder have created Fidget 3D 鈥� one of the best sellers at College鈥檚 Trade Fair 2024.
Their spiral cone fidgets 鈥� produced on Tony鈥檚 3D printer 鈥� have been in big demand at the College marketplace, with 80% or their stock having been snapped up by students.
鈥淥ur Fidget 3D is ideal for relieving stress,鈥� the Somes House students explain. 鈥淲hile you 鈥榝idget鈥�, you can better focus on the task at hand. It is an ideal aid for the exam period, and made from sustainable, recycled material.
鈥淲e came up with the concept, dug out the 3D printer, and 鈥� after overcoming some technical setbacks 鈥� it all came together. It certainly appeals to students of all ages. We believe that 3D printing is more mainstream now and the way of the future. It has been great doing the Commerce course this year. It opens the door to possibilities, builds team management, and presents a rare opportunity to drive your own ideas.鈥�
Fellow Year 10 student Cole Moffatt has also been inspired by the chance to put himself in a business originator鈥檚 shoes and 鈥渉elp to come up with engaging products to sell to students at the marketplace鈥�.
His business team鈥檚 Candle Castle 鈥� a sustainable scented candle made from nationally sources products 鈥� has also proved popular.
鈥淲ith Trade Fair, it is an opportunity to do something different outside the classroom,鈥� Cole says. 鈥淲e have all spent a lot of time on our products to ensure they are the best that they can be, and the opportunity to showcase our work has been brilliant while also growing our marketing and sales skills.鈥�
The Trade Fair has featured about 15 companies offering a diverse range of products that appeal to a teenage market.
鈥淚t is important to learn about different lines of work and make the most of your opportunities to put yourself in another person鈥檚 shoes,鈥� Cole says. 鈥淏y creating a product, market plan, and business case, it is an ideal start to learning those skills and putting those classroom lessons with our Commerce teacher, Mr Ball, into practice.鈥�
Among the many other impressive business start-ups were Ocean Potion, a salt spray to create a textured hairstyle; Ropecraft Creations, mini rope toys to help relieve stress; Choco-Fuel, a bite-sized high-energy snack; Periwinkle Plush Slimes, The Soap Shed, and Pranksters鈥� Paradise offering an array of water guns and silly string.
