More than 50 Middleton High School and Clark Street Community School students shared their end-of-year projects at the STEM & Career Student Presentation Showcase on May 27 with members of the local business community, MCPASD administrators and Board of Education members.
“The showcase is a simulated work environment for students," said Career & Technical Education Coordinator Dave Thomas, who organized the showcase with Engineering Design and Development Teacher Ben Shrago.
Thomas and Shrago worked with other faculty members to bring in judges from a variety of businesses and industries. Along with MCPASD administrators and Board of Education members, business representatives listened to students’ presentations and provided feedback.
The showcase featured students in the Youth Apprenticeship program as well as in classes including Engineering Design and Development; Civil Engineering and Architecture; Digital Electronics; Game Design and Development – an integrated course with Computer Science, Digital Art, & English; Advanced Art, and Clark Street Community School career projects.
Thomas said while several of the classes are part of the national Project Lead the Way curriculum, he has expanded the annual event to emphasize a capstone presentation experience for students across disciplines.
The judges included four members of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, including Alex Vernon and Michael Tsuchihashi.
“They’re presenting doable concepts that are well thought-out and strategic,” Tsuchihashi said of students’ proposals for food trucks as well as food logo designs and branding. “They’re confronting challenges and demonstrating critical thinking skills to solve them.”
“What they’re doing mimics real-world challenges,” Vernon said. “When they enter the workforce, these experiences will help them to be prepared.”
Matt Eaton, who works for JG Development, which includes Brio Design Homes, also served as a judge. He shared his expertise in construction with students and talked with several presenters about their library renovation projects.
Eaton said the students’ work was impressive.
“Their layout and design are good, and many students had budget-friendly designs,” he said.
Lauren Harlowe, an oil painter and professional artist, also provided feedback to students.
“This is so exciting for me,” Harlowe said. “Students I’ve talked with are articulate and invested in exploring what they’re creating. I like seeing their finished elements and the in-process elements.”
She was pleased to hear several art students say they plan to pursue art after high school.
“Teachers are giving students confidence to pursue the arts; it’s a big deal,” Harlowe said.
Additional pictures from the showcase are available here.