Loon Lake, Walnut Creek receive awards at Oakland Schools 3P Learning Showcase

Loon Lake Elementary and Walnut Creek Middle School students shined at the 2026 Oakland School 3P Learning Showcase.

The annual showcase celebrates innovative Project, Problem and Place-Based (3P) Learning with educators, families and community partners throughout Oakland County. 

The Loons were recognized for their project addressing the need for shade on the school playground. They researched and wrote opinion letters that were shared at a PTA meeting, as well as shared model versions of what they were hoping could be installed at Loon Lake Elementary. Thanks to their hard work, the Loon Lake Elementary PTA will be building a pavilion in the fall for students to use during recess, field day and other school events. The second graders were honored with the Local Lens Award, which recognizes a project that is deeply engaged with the local community, environment or culture bringing learning to life through place-based connections.

Walnut Creek Middles School’s Makayla Carson and Avery Orlando received the Director’s Cut Award for their Animal Prosthetics program. The Director’s Cut Award honors a project that tackles a complex, real-world problem with thoughtful, innovative solutions and strong critical thinking. Carson and Orlando adopted an animal "client" with an injury or birth difference and then developed a technology that could give the animal natural function back. They made prototypes and learned about the impacts for growth, appropriate materials for the environment and the animal's comfort.