A rain delay during a Philadelphia Phillies broadcast sparked an idea that is now changing how one Pennsylvania classroom approaches art and student engagement. What began as a simple television segment has grown into a hands-on project that blends creativity, discipline, and a renewed interest in trading cards among middle school students.
Steve Mogck, an art teacher at Lionville Middle School and a working studio artist, said the moment came when he watched Phillies reliever Matt Strahm open trading cards on TV. Mogck saw more than a hobby. He saw design, structure, and opportunity. “I’m looking at these Topps cards and I’m thinking, ‘These things are beautiful,’” he told RIPPED. That reaction pushed him to rethink how to connect with seventh graders who already had strong ties to sports and pop culture.
Mogck built a classroom assignment around custom trading cards. Students were told to design their own cards, but with a key rule. They could not copy existing layouts. They had to create something new. The approach forced students to think critically while still giving them freedom. “If they’re interested in a project, you’re going to get so much more from them,” Mogck said.
The results came quickly. Students leaned into the assignment with personal ideas that reflected their interests. Some focused on sports like football and baseball. Others pulled from Disney and Pixar characters. A few even created cards based on their friends. Mogck said many students went further by studying real card designs, including refractor styles, to make their work stand out.
The process followed clear steps. Students started with rough sketches, then refined their designs using light boxes to trace cleaner versions. The artwork was created on large paper, then reduced and printed on high-quality card stock. Each piece was cut down to standard trading card size, giving students a finished product that looked and felt authentic.
The project soon moved beyond the classroom. Mogck partnered with Wheelhouse Cards, a local card shop, to host a public showcase. Store co-founder Jon Spadaford and manager Matt Stratton worked with Mogck to turn the shop into a gallery space. Displays were arranged across the store, and each student’s card was placed in a protective case.
“We really wanted it to look great after all the work they’d done,” Stratton said. The event drew families and classmates, with students walking through the shop to find their own cards on display. Many pointed out their work to friends and compared designs. The setting gave students a sense of legitimacy that is often missing from school projects.
Mogck said the impact was immediate and lasting. “If I can provide a platform for these kids to shine, that does more for me,” he said. He noted that opportunities like this were not available when he was a student, which made the outcome more meaningful.
The influence of the project has carried into daily classroom life. Mogck now uses trading cards as both a teaching tool and a reward system. Students who perform well can earn packs, and the class regularly holds trading sessions. “They’re actually having conversations with each other about these cards, the stats of the cards,” he said. He also pointed to a practical benefit. “It keeps them off their phones.”
The shift reflects a broader trend where hands-on activities are competing with digital distractions in schools. In this case, a traditional hobby is helping rebuild attention spans and peer interaction, something many educators say has been declining.
Mogck’s students have also pushed him to expand his own work. After encouragement from the class, he has started creating his own one-of-one trading cards during the summer, alongside his gallery projects in Philadelphia.
Both Mogck and Wheelhouse Cards plan to continue the program. “This is every year,” Mogck said. “It’s building momentum.”
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English (US) · 