On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Academy for Design and Fabrication (D|Fab) at High Tech High School, hosted its annual Student Showcase, bringing together industry professionals, higher education partners, alumni, and community members to celebrate student achievement across its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
The event provided students with direct access to industry feedback and real-world expectations. Guests, including Advisory Board members, toured student exhibits and engaged directly with students about their work. Attendees included professors from New Jersey Institute of Technology, Kean University, and Stevens Institute of Technology, along with professionals in architecture, engineering, woodworking, and other STEM fields.
Several Advisory Board members were High Tech High School alumni, including Jasper Cohen, Design Engineer at Eastern Millwork Inc.; Angelique Rivera, Manufacturing Engineer at Kreisler Industrial Corporation / STS Aerospace; Laela Baker Sluchevsky, Assistant MEP Estimator at Turner Construction Company; and Peter Lescailles, Engineer at ZT Systems.
The showcase featured a wide range of student work, including hand drawings, prototype and final models, and visuals documenting the design process from concept to completion. Wood Technology students presented projects such as cutting boards, furniture, and cornhole boards, while Computer Programming students demonstrated apps they designed and coded. Throughout the event, students walked guests through their work and received valuable feedback, critiques, and career insight from industry professionals.
Students also reflected on the experience, highlighting the value of direct interaction with professionals. Milan Zhu, from Ms. Simon’s Industrial Design course, shared, “Through this showcase, I was able to learn from professionals and gain key insights into the future of the industry and the market.”
Following the showcase, CTE teachers and Advisory Board members held formal meetings to discuss student work, curriculum updates, and opportunities to enhance equipment and software to stay aligned with current industry trends.
The D|Fab Student Showcase continues to highlight student growth while reinforcing strong connections between classroom learning and industry expectations.
