My interests drive the BIG world

Have you ever found yourself sitting in a social studies or English class wondering, 'How does this relate to the ‘real world?' ”

At Iowa BIG, I make daily connections with possible business partners and community members. It is quite different from a more traditional school setting, where I usually only connect with teachers and peers.

Being a student at Iowa BIG, I am given tools to shape my future and see the real business world.

I work with other students who share my interest in accomplishing something significant. We start with what we love to do and create something awesome. Along the way, we also may find interests we never knew we had. I personally discovered a previously unknown love for writing and filmmaking.

While in the process of creating a documentary, I have learned things from professionals and have been assigned tasks that are a joy to complete.

I always know what tasks I have to do, and I always have time to complete them. The documentary is about sports rivalries in the Cedar Rapids area, so it gives me a chance to look back and connect with the community.

Iowa BIG is an opportunity from which kids in Cedar Rapids and the Corridor can benefit. Different students have different views, interests and skills - all of which can be utilized at BIG.

How many traditional high school students can say they had a chance to work with the city to plant orchards in Noelridge Park? Show off their invention in front of 100 possible business partners at an innovation expo? Get to work with the NewBo market to create an aquaponics system?

At BIG, students get chances to do things a traditional school is not structured to offer.

It's an opportunity that cannot be and should not be cast aside.

Traditional classrooms have as many of 30 students, a situation that makes it hard to form the connection I have with my advisers at BIG.

No BIG group has more than 12 students. Our advisers are just as involved in our project as we are, making it a better experience for all of us.

While a grade-point average may define you and determine your classes in a traditional environment, at Iowa BIG you only are defined by your project. At BIG, I'm not looked at differently for being an athlete, or put in any category. My advisers build a close relationship with me, and know exactly who I am and how I learn best. Every idea is heard and no student is judged.

Iowa BIG is one of the best things that has happened to me, and I feel every student should get the chance to experience it.

For the first time in a long time, I feel a spark for education and learning. I am connecting with my peers and being held accountable.

It is challenging at times, but always driven by what I want my finished product to be.

Whenever students and businesses interact, it's a good thing, because we are the future, and the most important thing in business is its future.

Iowa BIG is the future, and I think we can all benefit from such alternative opportunities.

' Keegan Moore is a senior at Washington High School and an Iowa BIG participant. Comments: coordinator@iowabig.org