Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Education has announced the winners of the Build Iowa’s Future Design Challenge, an opportunity for K-12 students to create innovative projects, connect them to careers and compete for up to $1,000 awards for their schools. And one of the winners was a school in our area.
According to the Iowa Department of Education, first-place awards of $1,000 each will be made for outstanding submissions by their teams. They will go to Johnson STEAM Academy in Cedar Rapids in the elementary school division; Boyden-Hull Junior High School in the middle school division; and Pella High School’s Principles of Engineering class in the high school division.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says, “Congratulations to all the design challenge winners for their thoughtful, innovative projects. Growing and integrating work-based learning into our schools inspires students to discover future careers and gain valuable knowledge and skills that will greatly benefit them in those careers, while developing strategic solutions to address real-world problems. The Build Iowa’s Future Design Challenge offers these students a great hands-on, real-world opportunity to learn about the many rewarding careers in the construction industry. Thank you to the Home Builders Association of Iowa for co-hosting the challenge with the Iowa Clearinghouse of Work-Based Learning, and to challenge financial sponsors – Community Colleges for Iowa, Kreg Tool Company and Pella Corporation – for their generous support.”
Elementary and middle school students participated in the Iowa Home Design Challenge by constructing a model home using toy plastic construction bricks, wood blocks or other materials, and making the case for why it would be a great place to live. High school students participated in the Iowa Dream and Design Challenge, which involved conceptualizing and designing a project that could improve their community. Nearly 300 students across the state were involved in the 95 submissions turned in by the April 1 deadline.
The Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning and the Home Builders Association of Iowa (HBA of Iowa) hosted the challenge to engage more students in authentic professional experiences that transform education for the workforce. Community Colleges for Iowa, Kreg Tool Company and Pella Corporation sponsored the challenge awards. The challenge is in keeping with the Future Ready Iowa goal of 70 percent of the workforce having education or training beyond high school by 2025.
Learn more about the design challenge and details about all of the winning teams by clicking here.
