Spring Lake Park board hears update on career pathways; students describe Epic Game Design and mechatronics

Spring Lake Park Public Schools staff and students briefed the school board on the district's career pathways and recent course developments, including Epic Game Design and a mechatronics class, during a board meeting. Melissa (district staff) provided an overview of the district operational plan project; mechatronics teacher Zach Humphrey and several students described classroom projects and industry partnerships.

The presentation explained the district's three established pathways'business and entrepreneurship; health and human services; and technology, engineering and design (TED)'and described efforts to keep programming aligned with workforce trends. Melissa said the pathways originally launched in 2018 and that the current operational plan work uses the district's three-stage design process of discover, design and deliver to update courses and college-credit opportunities. She said the district is forming a design team later this year that will include students, teachers and industry partners to develop an implementation plan.

Melissa reported participation and credit metrics for recent graduates,…