Braden Elbert and Evan Gildehaus, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering students at Four Rivers Career Center, earned top honors at the PLTW Senior Showcase held recently at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. The duo claimed first place for Best Overall in the Engineering Design Showcase for their innovative project: the Adaptive Fishing Reel.

An adaptive fishing reel is a specially designed fishing tool that allows individuals with physical disabilities, particularly those affecting fine motor skills or hand strength, to fish more comfortably and independently.

In recognition of their achievement, Elbert and Gildehaus will split a $1,500 scholarship. Their project was designed to make fishing more accessible for individuals with fine motor disabilities.

“This is a big accomplishment,” said FRCC Engineering Instructor Nick Straatmann. “This showcase is typically a packed event featuring schools from all over St. Louis and the greater St. Louis area. This is also the first time one of my student groups has submitted, so we are currently batting 1.000.”

Straatmann praised the students for their creativity and impact, calling their work “a patent-worthy design.”

The PLTW Senior Showcase celebrates high school students who demonstrate excellence in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on projects and real-world problem-solving.

The success of Elbert and Gildehaus reflects the strength of the PLTW program and the talent at Four Rivers Career Center.

Elbert and Gildehaus both are seniors at Washington High School, and both plan to attend East Central College in the fall. Elbert plans to major in civil engineering. Gildehaus plans to major in computer engineering.

Braden Elbert, left, and Evan Gildehaus, right, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering students at
Four Rivers Career Center, earned top honors at the PLTW Senior Showcase held recently at the
Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis for their innovative project: the Adaptive Fishing Reel.

Braden Elbert and Evan Gildehaus, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering students at Four Rivers Career Center,
earned top honors at the PLTW Senior Showcase held recently at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis for their
innovative project: the Adaptive Fishing Reel. From left are Braden Elbert, Evan Gildehaus and FRCC Engineering
Instructor Nick Straatmann.

Braden Elbert and Evan Gildehaus, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering students at Four Rivers Career Center, 
earned top honors at the PLTW Senior Showcase held recently at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis for their
innovative project: the Adaptive Fishing Reel. From left are School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart,
Braden Elbert, Evan Gildehaus and FRCC Engineering Instructor Nick Straatmann.