Honeywell today celebrated the completion of its inaugural Arena of the Future Experience in partnership with Digi-Bridge, a Charlotte-based organization that provides interactive science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) learning initiatives to students across the region, and the Charlotte Hornets.
The program brought together 30 middle school students from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, with a significant portion hailing from Title I Schools and historically underrepresented backgrounds, to conceptualize a blueprint for a next-generation arena with sustainability as its cornerstone. Key focuses included water conservation, solar energy, player and fan security enhancement and futuristic concepts like augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
After tipping off the experience with a behind-the-scenes tour of Spectrum Center, over five weeks, each student group was guided by mentors from Honeywell and coaches from Digi-Bridge as they brainstormed concepts, developed blueprints for their proposed solutions and used laser cutting technology to create 3D-printed prototypes. To conclude the experience, Honeywell hosted a Capstone event at its Uptown headquarters, where teams pitched their ideas in a group presentation to expert industry judges, including Digi-Bridge CEO Alyssa Sharpe, Honeywell Global Head of Brand Partnerships Kristen Picard, Hornets Sports & Entertainment Executive Vice President & Spectrum Center General Manager Donna Julian and Hornets Sports & Entertainment Director of Arena Operations & Sustainability Alex MacKenzie.
“Honeywell has more than a century of experience tackling the world’s most complex challenges, and we have been able to meet these challenges head-on because of our continued investment in the leaders of tomorrow, including the incredible students who presented at today’s Capstone event,” said Picard. “Our participants’ ideas – built from passion and ingenuity – left me feeling humbled, and I know a more sustainable future, within the Spectrum Center and beyond, rests in capable hands with this talented group of students.”
Each team’s presentation was judged on efficacy, feasibility, originality, collaboration and their presentation. Honeywell generously donated cutting-edge technology, including 3D printers and virtual reality headsets, to the top-ranked teams’ schools.
- 1st Place: Team “StageHydra,” a concept for retractable arena seats and stages powered by water pistons
- 2nd Place: Team “Solar Powered Seats in Screens,” adding solar powered screens to the back of arena seats for fans to order food and reduce waste
- 3rd Place: Team “Comfort Garden,” a sensory-friendly stadium experience with a custom-built irrigation system and vertical garden
Organizers gifted each Arena of the Future participant a VIP Charlotte Hornets game day experience – featuring signed swag and a surprise visit from Hornets legend Muggsy Bogues – honoring them during the second quarter of the Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks game last week.
“Our Arena of the Future experience is fostering a generation of problem solvers who aren’t just envisioning change, but actively creating it,” said Digi-Bridge’s Sharpe. “Witnessing these students’ boundless creativity and commitment to sustainability reaffirms the invaluable role of experiential STEAM learning in shaping tomorrow’s innovators.”
“Sustainability is a very important topic that is constantly top-of-mind for us at Spectrum Center,” said Julian. “It’s incredible to have so many young minds come together and to see the various ideas the students have to pave the way for a more sustainable future in sports and entertainment.”
Other solutions devised by the students include a solar-powered food court, breakout rooms for fans with sensory needs and an app designed to reduce concessions waste.
