Lake Shore Senior High School

Algebra 2 teacher Amy Brodie introduced a large jigsaw puzzle on the first day of school as a quiet, screen-free option for students to work on during short breaks, study hall time, and the last minutes of class. What started as a simple activity quickly grew into a collaborative project that brought in students from all her classes and even a few former students who stopped by to help.

Students added pieces whenever they had a spare moment, returning to it over the course of the fall. On November 20, the puzzle was officially completed, with just one missing piece that couldn’t be found.

The project became a fun way for students to unwind, work together, and stay engaged without their phones — a small idea that turned into a shared accomplishment for the whole group.