Page 1 - TTMNSpring2024

TEACHING

Spring 2024
MINNESOTA’S K–12 EDUCATION CONNECTIONTODAY MN ™

Otter Tale Bees, Produce, and Décor

County & High School Program Honored for Innovation

Collaborate on Welding Project

who enlisted the talents of
Micaiah Abramson, a soph-
omore student, to bring the
concept to life. Abramson Wadena Area Learning Center
enthusiastically accepted Freshwater Education District
the challenge and began Freshwater Education Dis-
working on the mockup. trict — Wadena Area Learning
Abramson reviewed Center (WALC) Mid-Level
Palmersheim’s handwrit- Program is an experiential
ten mock-up and used program that has since its incep-
scrap pieces of metal from tion been a classroom that
the KHS welding shop to provided hands-on learning for
weld the prototype. Once students who needed a nontradi-
he was satisfied with the tional way to learn. Students are
mockup, he began to create. at risk of not graduating from 11 different pay for expenses and grow the experiences.
Using advanced welding school districts in rural, central Minnesota The variety of activities that are part of the
techniques, Abramson dedi- and the student population is nearly 100% Bees, Produce, and Decor program results
cated over forty-five hours qualified for free and reduced meals. Many in almost every student finding their fit and
The Otter Tail County Highway Depart- to meticulously crafting the Culvert Grapple of their students have lived through and engaging somehow in the program.
ment’s Ditch and Drainage Inspector, Colby Hook. The final product features a heavy-duty experienced more than they should have to “The classroom finally feels like a safe
Palmersheim, joined forces with the Fergus post with retractable fins that can be connected at their age. place to learn and to even fail. Students
Falls Kennedy High School (KHS) welding to a winch-powered mechanism used to clear The staff is small, but their passion learn that a failed idea is just another oppor-
class. Together, they launched Otter Tail culverts of various sizes. for their students is big. When you visit the tunity to learn. It is a way to teach students
County’s Culvert Grapple Hook innovation, Reflecting on his experience, Abramson Wadena Area Learning Center, you quickly to advocate for themselves and their ideas,
a winch-powered tool to clean out culverts. shared, “I had finished my project, and Mr. catch that respect goes both ways — from to connect with the curriculum, and enjoy
With a grant from the University of Minne- Wutzke asked if I would like to make a culvert the staff to the students and from the students success in school. Our students have strong
sota Local Operational Research Assistance cleaner tool for the County. I had to make a to the staff. In this unique learning environ- personalities, and we want them to use them
(OPERA) Program, the County was able to few adjustments, add to the post, and weld ment, the traditional classroom experience to be successful as adults in our community,”
purchase a winch to power the hook. This two hooks at the top of the design that weren’t wasn’t going to do, so the staff got creative. says Heidi Heino at Freshwater Education
collaborative effort has resulted in an innova- included in the original design. It was a fun Bees, Produce, and Decor was created District.
tive solution that saves time, enhances worker project.” over time with support of their district, local Students learn business and technology
safety and highlights the talent of local youth. Palmersheim and Abramson recently community, and grant dollars. The program skills, see firsthand how climate affects plant
Palmersheim’s idea addressed the tested the hook in a mock demonstration. started with a hive of bees which quickly and bee growth and gain experience creating
challenge of clearing clogged culverts, par- Branches were stuffed into two different-sized turned into growing flowers for the bees their own business where they can be their
ticularly those located beyond the reach culverts, and the hook was connected to the and building products in the woodshop. own boss. They embed the understanding
of conventional equipment. The challenge winch on a pickup truck. The hook pulled all The students run the program as a revenue- of the importance of being a part of their
of welding inspired a partnership with Mr. generating-business, where all revenue is
Dennis Wutzke, the welding teacher at KHS, Continued on Page 6 invested back into the program to grow Continued on Page 22

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