Give Now  »

News Contact IPM News Indiana Public Media News

{ "banners": { "tv" : [ {"url" : "${url}", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/wtiu-thanksgiving-11-24-22.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669266000000", "endingDate" : "1669352340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/11-22-22-11-25-22-11-28-22-wtiu-gt-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669093200000", "endingDate" : "1669265940000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/11-22-22-11-25-22-11-28-22-wtiu-gt-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669352400000", "endingDate" : "1669438740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/11-22-22-11-25-22-11-28-22-wtiu-gt-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669611600000", "endingDate" : "1669697940000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/11-29-22-wtiu-gt-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669698000000", "endingDate" : "1669784340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/8-21-22-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1661054400000", "endingDate" : "1661140740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/6-12-22-wtiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1655006400000", "endingDate" : "1655092740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/3-20-22-and-4-24-22-sanditon-webbnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1647748800000", "endingDate" : "1647835140000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/3-20-22-and-4-24-22-sanditon-webbnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1650772800000", "endingDate" : "1650859140000"} ], "radio" : [ {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYuMn%2bAFYFwp%2bq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/wfiu-thanksgiving-11-24-22.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669266000000", "endingDate" : "1669352340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-18-22-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663473600000", "endingDate" : "1663559940000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-19-22-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663560000000", "endingDate" : "1663646340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-20-22-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663646400000", "endingDate" : "1663707540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-20-22-wfiu-match-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663707600000", "endingDate" : "1663714800000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-16-22-wfiu-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663380060000", "endingDate" : "1663387140000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDBNR&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flgkr2wNtsqwhq1gzMC6uhq5nDjkJobrCdg%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-16-22-wfiu-challenge-bnr.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663372800000", "endingDate" : "1663380000000"} ] }}
{ "lightboxes": { "tv" : [ {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/11-22-22-11-25-22-11-28-22-wtiu-gt-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669093200000", "endingDate" : "1669179540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/11-22-22-11-25-22-11-28-22-wtiu-gt-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669352400000", "endingDate" : "1669438740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/11-22-22-11-25-22-11-28-22-wtiu-gt-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669611600000", "endingDate" : "1669697940000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/11-29-22-wtiu-gt-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1669698000000", "endingDate" : "1669784340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/8-21-22-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1661054400000", "endingDate" : "1661140740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/6-11-22-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1654920000000", "endingDate" : "1655006340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/6-12-22-wtiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1655006400000", "endingDate" : "1655092740000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/3-20-22-and-4-24-22-sanditon-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1647748800000", "endingDate" : "1647835140000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WTIUMCLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=2T6mTyo6yYtDgsQprWuZNm3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/3-20-22-and-4-24-22-sanditon-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1650772800000", "endingDate" : "1650859140000"} ], "radio" : [ {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-17-22-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663387200000", "endingDate" : "1663473540000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-18-22-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663473600000", "endingDate" : "1663559940000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-19-22-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663560000000", "endingDate" : "1663646340000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-20-22-wfiu-match-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663707600000", "endingDate" : "1663714800000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-16-22-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663380060000", "endingDate" : "1663387140000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-16-22-wfiu-challenge-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663372800000", "endingDate" : "1663380000000"} , {"url" : "https://indianapublicmedia.secureallegiance.com/wtiu/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=WFIUFDLB&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=tAXekcDG%2flizvLEFSbjC6m3L5BYddGq6PVAl6UEf65g%3d", "img" : "https://indianapublicmedia.org/images/banner-images/9-20-22-wfiu-lightbox.jpg", "startingDate" : "1663646400000", "endingDate" : "1663707540000"} ] }}
true true true true true
true
true
true
true

Indianapolis teachers won national game show, patent-pending with toy manufacturer

By Sara Molina

Posted November 15, 2022

pphs

The newest prototype of Don't Wet Your Pants next to the first model. (Gregg Nowling)

On the season finale of PBS’ Make48,The Mallorys worked on a new prototype of their national competition-winning game that brought home $10,000 and the Kid’s Choice Award. 

Don’t Wet Your Pants was created last spring after the team of Purdue Polytechnic High School teachers advanced from Indianapolis’ regional competition to nationals.

Read more: U.S. Education Official Praises Purdue Charter School for Innovation 

Tasked with building a STEAM game (science, technology, arts and math), the water strategy game was created. The goal is to move water through pipes by opening and closing valves, creating a path leading to a nozzle on your opponent’s side. This fills a cup and wets their pants as it tips, said design and engineering teacher Gregg Nowling.

“We went in there with nothing preplanned, no prior knowledge,” he said. “Then when we get there we have 48 hours to go from nothing to a product that is now patent-pending and in the hands of one of the largest toy manufacturers of the world to see if they want to buy it.”

Nowling considers himself the group’s fabricator. He identified Andy Mundell as the designer. Nurse Amanda Bowling and head coach Drew Goodin gathered supplies and worked on marketing, Nowling said.

“The physics teacher in me knows about pressure and the robotics teacher in me knows inputs and outputs,” Mundell said. “I thought that the valves really offered a lot of opportunities for kids to play with.”

After Mundell explained the vision to Bowling and Goodin, the team began creating the original prototype.

“The biggest thing to learn from the game is sort of just cause and effect,” Mundell said. “There's a lot of logical thinking and then there's also some strategy in planning and reacting to your opponent.”

The majority of the money won went towards the newest model of the game, Bowling said. 

“Right now we're just kind of waiting to hear back from Spin Master,” she said. “If they like it and what they like.”

Teaching at a diverse inner-city school near the eastside of Indianapolis, The Mallorys hope the game inspires their students.

Read more: Purdue High School To Focus On STEM For Inner-City Students

“I would hope that they take away that they can do stuff like this too, they can be an entrepreneur and inventor,” Mundell said. “And that people who maybe they saw as ordinary, we have the ability to create something unique and fun, and you know, potentially marketable.”

Officially known as The Mallory Design Group and named after the building Purdue Polytechnic is in, the team created the newest prototype of Don’t Wet Your Pants featured in the last episode. The game patent is pending to be developed by Spin Master. 

Read Next

Want to contact your legislators about an issue that matters to you? Find out how to contact your senators and member of Congress here.

Support For Indiana Public Media Comes From
Local News Headlines, delivered free to your inbox each weekday

Recent Education Stories