With the local communities concerned about their ability to maintain their workforce in face of baby boomer retirement, Redwood Falls School District & Orrin Estebo, a local philanthropist, began developing a plan to create a technical education center at Redwood Middle/High School.
The district's goals included activity, project and problem-based (APB) instructional design, centers on hands-on, real world activities, projects and problems. This approach provides students with opportunities to collaborate, identify problems and lead their own learning. Creating a career and technical addition provides students educational opportunities as they enter into the workforce, provides vocational training opportunities and creates an open environment for students to explore different curricular options. It also provides access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower students to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career and beyond.
Local businesses were also interested in investing in programs because they would have direct connections with students in their community and could build relationships that potentially lead to future careers. Additionally, the space is used dually with the community and provides opportunities and space for community members to take classes in addition to the middle/high school students.