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Who We Are 

futurePREP'd focuses on bringing relevance and design thinking to students.  By providing experiences with community and business partners, students are able to explore careers, work on leadership skills, and get ready for their next steps. 

Within futurePREP’d, students will have the opportunity to solve a real challenge with a local business and/or community partner.  Using the Creative Sequence, a Design Thinking process, students will progress from investigating a real challenge to coming up with ideas to pitching a solution to a business partner. Along with this, students will practice and perfect the Skills4Success, a set of softskills that every student needs in order to be successful and productive.

2023 Summer Programs

IChallengeU-High School Students (9th-12th grade)

IChallengeU is a two-week summer educational opportunity for students currently in grades 9-12 to gain work experience while they solve real-world issues from local businesses.

2023 Program Dates: June 19-29

Monday-Thursday; 8:30am-3:00pm, June 23 & 29; 8:30am-Noon

External LinkClick here to apply

PDF DocumentClick here to view the flyer for more information

 

 

IChallengeUth-Middle School Students (6th-8th grade)

During this exciting week, current 6th-8th grade students work with a team to solve a real-world challenge the company is facing. At the end of the week, students pitch their solutions back to the company.

2023 Program Dates: July 10-14

Monday-Thursday; 9:00am-3:00pm, Friday; 9:00am-Noon

External LinkClick here to apply

PDF DocumentClick here to view the flyer for more information

 

 

IChallengeUjr.-Elementary School Students (K-5th grade)

IChallengeUjr. is a four day program that partners with local community organizations to provide real-world work experiences in design thinking for current K-5th students.

2023 Program Dates: June 26-29

Monday-Thursday; 9:00am-Noon

External LinkClick here to apply

PDF DocumentClick here to view the flyer for more information

 

 

futurePREP'd Educators

Our futurePREP'd team works to train and partner with educators within the Ottawa Area ISD to bring design thinking, relevance, and project-based ng into the classrooms of thousands of students. We continue to support 400+ futurePREP'd educators with professional development, networking opportunities, innovative programming, and local community connections. We partner with our educators and 100+ l community and business partners to help students become equipped with 21st Century Skills and start to decide what is next for them. 

External LinkClick here to view this work, find resources, and connect with other educators

            

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For more information, please contact one of our staff members:

David Searles
Assistant Superintendent
Careerline Tech Center
Susan Tater
Coordinator
Careerline Tech Center
Nicole Gitler
Program Developer
Careerline Tech Center
Denise Smyk
Program Developer
Careerline Tech Center
Kari VanderVeen
Administrative Assistant
Careerline Tech Center
Melissa Bultema
Specialist/Early College
Careerline Tech Center
Caleigh Dick
Secretary
Careerline Tech Center
David Ladd
Career Development Facilitator
Careerline Tech Center