Venture Academics, an innovative project-based learning model launches this fall. Led by the Linn-Mar Community School District, this community based program is a partnership with Marion Economic Development and Community Promise. Venture Academics allows students to earn high school credit by meeting Iowa Core standards and applying knowledge to real-world projects. Though some traditional teaching and learning methods will be employed at Venture, the Venture experience will focus on extending classroom learning to real world applications, problems, and solutions.
 
You are a key partner in this “venture.” We need local businesses and professionals to build relationships with students and support them in their learning. It’s important for students to be immersed in the local business community and gain awareness of what you do and the careers you provide. These experiences will also provide students the opportunity to develop valuable 21st century skills such as productivity and accountability, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, flexibility/adaptivity, and complex communication. These are the critical tools that you say your workforce needs the most.
 
There are various ways to engage with the Venture program. Your involvement could look like a classroom visit and answering students’ questions about your area of expertise. You might offer your skills and knowledge to students as they work on a project. You could also support Venture by providing students with a project to work on for your business and mentor them through the process. Think about important projects in your company, that just aren’t quite top of the list. What if a team of students could bring their unique perspective to advance your corporate priorities? We think you’ll be amazed by their energy and innovation.
 
To learn more about Venture Academics, visit this page on our website. There is information on levels of engagement, subject areas that will be offered, learning goals for each subject area, and project examples.
 
If you decide that you would like to partner with Venture you can visit this link to fill out a form and indicate your level of interest.
 
If you have any questions, you may reach out to the Venture Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, Elyssa McDowell. Her email is [email protected] and phone number is 319-447-3124.

Additional Contact Information:

Nick Glew | MEDCO President | 319-743-4724
Mark Hutcheson | Linn-Mar Director of High School Teaching and Learning | (319) 447-3236
Shannon Bisgard | Linn-Mar Superintendent | (319) 447-3001