HCS Student Designs 3D-Printed Thermostat Cover in Use Across the District

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Dutchtown High School senior Taryn Williamson is a compelling example of Henry County Schools’ mission to empower students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society.

Williamson has been pursuing dual enrollment studies through the district’s Academy for Advanced Studies (AAS) for the past three years, honing a natural talent for engineering while balancing the demands of high school and the rigor of college-level coursework.

In January 2024, the HCS Facilities and Maintenance Department contacted Dr. Daryl Stone, then a logistics and mechatronics trainer at AAS, about an HVAC challenge. Throughout the district, thermostat covers broke frequently, leading to costly replacements and repairs.

Dr. Stone believed the abilities and drive of Williamson, only a sophomore at the time, would inspire her to devise a solution.

“I believe Dr. Stone selected me for the project because of my experience with maintaining and repairing the class’ 3D printer on multiple occasions,” Williamson said. “He often observed me designing projects using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and my efforts to bring these designs to life using the materials, tools, and machines available in our classroom. I frequently collaborated with him when accessing equipment, gathering materials, and troubleshooting issues with the 3D printer. I also learned mechatronics concepts quickly and was often the person my classmates would ask for help.”

Williamson designed and built the original production file for the thermostat cover, collaborating with district personnel throughout the process.

“I was excited to take on the challenge,” she said. “The project lasted about a year from start to finish. I started at the end of 10th grade and thought it might not move forward after summer break. However, when I returned to school as an 11th grader, I was pleasantly surprised to have someone from the Facilities and Maintenance Department work with me, providing feedback throughout the process to refine the design. This made the project feel real and meaningful.”

Facilities and Maintenance Executive Director Gabriel Wiley described Williamson’s design as “easy to print, making it ideal for 3D printing.”

“I gained valuable experience working with a client, understanding their needs, and adapting my design to meet their efficiency standards,” Williamson added. “It also gave me more confidence in my ability to take a project from idea to implementation.”

District HVAC staff used Williamson’s design to create the final 3D product with durable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly polylactic acid (PLA) plastic. Williamson’s easy-to-mount cover snaps securely onto the thermostat to protect it from tampering and damage, extending the life of the thermostat.

In addition to these benefits, Williamson’s design offers significant cost savings, particularly when compared to purchasing new thermostats.

The Facilities and Maintenance team installed the first thermostat cover in a district office in August 2024. To date, HCS has created and installed more than 150 of Williamson’s 3D-printed thermostat covers in schools and administrative buildings across the district, realizing savings of around $44,000.

“I knew there was a chance my design would be used, but I didn’t expect it to actually be installed throughout Henry County Schools,” Williamson said. “I was ecstatic when I learned my design was approved. It’s an amazing feeling to know something I created is actively being used in the school system.”

“Taryn’s accomplishments show the ingenuity and resourcefulness of HCS students,” said AAS Mechatronics Trainer Richard Gray. “Taryn noticed an opportunity to help her school system and leveraged her educational resources at the Academy for Advanced Studies to address the issue. Her ability to replicate and customize a thermostat cover exemplifies the kind of skills many companies are seeking for product prototyping and maintenance.”

“This is the first time a student has provided this level of support for our Facilities and Maintenance Department,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “I am proud of Taryn for accepting this challenge, and most of all, for her exceptional abilities and commitment to see the task through to completion. Dr. Stone’s foresight to include a student in the process demonstrates the caliber of teachers at HCS and their commitment to empowering our students every day.”

The Academy for Advanced Studies offers student associates in grades 10-12 across HCS the opportunity to choose from more than 100 courses across 39 Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) and Fine Arts pathways, including cybersecurity, general automotive technology, electronics, and mechatronics.

The institution also offers more than 50 Dual Enrollment Technical Certificates of Credit courses, as well as additional opportunities through the Accelerated Career Education (ACE) Grant, the ACE Dual Enrollment Technical Certificate of Credit, and work-based learning programs.

HCS ranks fifth in CTAE enrollment in the state, as AAS and students’ home high schools offer a total of 49 career pathways within 17 CTAE clusters, including agriculture, energy, and STEM.

“AAS enables students to explore subjects that truly interest them,” Gray added. “Our instructors offer a professional connection in studies, and we work across disciplines to offer novel learning experiences. AAS provides numerous opportunities for students to acquire skills and experience that will serve them long after they leave Henry County Schools.”

“AAS has given me opportunities that go far beyond the classroom,” Williamson added. “It’s not just about learning technical skills – it’s about applying them in real-world situations and building connections with teachers and industry professionals. I’m excited to take on more projects with real-world applications. This experience showed me the impact my work can have, and I want to keep building on that.”

Williamson is a member of the Dutchtown High School’s golf team and the district’s Student Athlete Advisory Council. She is also president of the Technology Student Association (TSA) at AAS and a member of the National Honor Society.
She plans to further her studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or the Georgia Institute of Technology and pursue a career as a mechanical engineer.

“Taryn’s accomplishment tells the larger story of our dedication to providing students with opportunities and access,” Dr. Pace added. “The Academy for Advanced Studies is one of the best examples of how we prepare students to apply academic knowledge from the classroom to real-world solutions, setting them up for success in college, career, and life, and proving that bright futures do indeed begin in Henry County Schools.”