Whakatāne High School year 12 business students have been turning their ideas into real products and sell them.

The students have created products ranging from a portable sleep kit to a drink-can opener and promotional T-shirt.

Teacher Linda Bonne said she was impressed by the range of ideas and the products created.

The products have had varying levels of success, with some students selling 30 to 40 of their products online through Facebook, while others have taken their products to weekend markets.

For the students, the assessment has involved more than simply creating a product, as they also having to market and sell their ideas.

One student said Instagram was an easy way to reach people their age.

“Instagram was pretty easy because it’s a big thing in our generation to have an Instagram account.”

Students have also learned new skills during the process, including creating websites, and designing and creating 3D models.

One group created a drink-can opener after identifying a problem with people struggling to open cans without breaking their nails.

The students worked through several prototypes before settling on a design that could be 3D printed and made strong enough to take the force needed to open a can.

The group said they had about a month to develop the product, starting with identifying the problem before moving on to the design, 3D modelling, printing and marketing.

Another group created a bag of sleep essentials designed to be taken on the go.

The bag includes a sleep mask, a small bag of tea, socks, a scrunchie and a small bottle of lavender-scented sleep spray.

They researched various sleep aids before choosing items to include in

the kit.

The students said they also liked the convenience of having everything

together.

“It’s a little sleep bag in their bigger bag and it’s reusable.”

One of the more popular products has been a T-shirt designed by Ollie Peat.

The shirt features Eastern Bay of Plenty imagery, including Moutuhorā, a surfer and otherreferences.

“It’s what everyone thinks of Whakatāne, like Whale Island, the Lady on the Rock, and the postcode on the back, as well,” Ollie said.

He designed the shirt around May before getting it ready to sell at the start of August.

He initially bought 15 shirts, which sold well, then received messages from people interested in buying shirts through Facebook.

Ollie said he had sold about 20 shirts and was sold out, but considering doing another drop around Christmas.

He said he had always wanted to have his own clothing brand and hoped to continue with the idea after leaving school.