CAPS program named national STEM Award Finalist
Blue Valley’s Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) is designed to be an innovative educational experience. This approach to education provides students learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom, earning the program a spot as a finalist for a national STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) award. Blue Valley is one of three high school division finalists in the Future Education Technology Conference (FETC) STEM Excellence Awards.
“It is a great honor and privilege for CAPS to be recognized as a finalist for the FETC national STEM award,” said CAPS Executive Director Corey Mohn. “We believe strongly in the power of connecting students to real applications in STEM industries, and personalizing learning to something that matches to our students’ passions and strengths. We are eager and energized to continue this important work with all our partners.”
The FETC STEM Excellence Awards recognize excellence and innovation in the field of STEM education at the primary, middle and high school levels, with winners selected from each level. Applications were evaluated based on the use of Interdisciplinary Curriculum, Collaboration, Design, Problem Solving and the STEM Experiences offered. All finalists are invited to attend and be recognized at FETC 2016, with the winners announced Jan. 14.
CAPS is a nationally recognized, innovative high school program. Students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and are mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school and college credit. Open to high school juniors and seniors, CAPS is an example of how business, community and public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high-skill, high-demand jobs. CAPS is a model now being replicated across the United States. Currently, 34 school districts in nine states are collaborating as part of the CAPS Network.