Linn-Mar’s project-based learning program doubles in first year

MARION — A new project-based learning program called Venture Academics at Linn-Mar High School has doubled in its first year, with 200 students now enrolled in the program’s business, science, government and law, and graphic arts tracks.

The district launched its own project-based program last year after ending a five-year partnership with Iowa BIG. It said the decision was inspired by cost and the desire to make the program more available to its students by having it on-campus.

Project-based learning partners high school students and businesses to work on projects. This gives its students the ability to learn and use real-world skills such as leadership, accountability and teamwork on projects they are passionate about, while earning high school credit at the same time.

Venture is offering 10 learning tracks: advanced business, behavioral science, business foundations, Earth science, environmental science, government and law, graphic arts, health science, life science and writing.

Instead of individual 45-minute classes, students enrolled in a Venture track take a set of classes in a three-hour period. For example, a student in the government and law track will take a government class, law class and college writing class that will conclude in a project.

Students still will have the option of taking classes in the traditional setting as single courses. Project-based students demonstrate proficiency and earn course credits by completing projects and giving presentations instead of taking a test.

What’s happened since

Last year, 37 students in Venture earned University of Iowa college credit through the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Innovator Program. Fourteen students placed in the top 10 percent of students who have taken the exam nationally.

Jasmine Smith, 17, a senior at Linn-Mar High School, said Venture is right for her because she absorbs more information by doing a project than sitting in a classroom taking tests. Since enrolling in Venture, her grade-point average has improved and she’s created stronger friendships.

Smith is working with the City of Marion and a group of students in her behavioral science class to find ways to increase community, specifically with younger generations in Marion.

Amanda Sweiger, 16, a junior at Linn-Mar High School, is in Venture’s behavioral science track researching problems at the high school and creating solutions with a team. Sweiger said the team has noticed increased behavior problems among students. Their solution is to create an “adopt a freshman” program where older students mentor freshmen to help them succeed academically and socially.

Margaret Tietjen, an English teacher in the life science and behavioral science tracks, said students are learning how to communicate through these projects. She works with them on pitches for projects. In researching, students have to learn how to analyze the content and the author’s credibility.

The program also is going through some “growing pains,” Tietjen said. With bus staffing shortages, it’s sometimes hard to find transportation for Venture students to go on field trips, she said. Sometimes, teachers volunteer to drive. They also are partnering with Neighborhood Transportation Service Inc. through Horizons, which provides affordable rides for people in Eastern Iowa.

Chelsea Dill, behavioral sciences teacher in the Venture program, said she is amazed by students’ creativity. “I see how they want to change the community and encourage them to make those changes,” she said.

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