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Construction
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Kaitlynn’s Journey in the Design, Engineering and Manufacturing

Technology Pathway

design plays in larger infrastructure projects. experiences she had in those classes at BHS had
Kaitlynn said she most enjoys interior design her feeling well prepared when she was on an
because it allows her to be creative both with her actual job site.
style and with how spaces are arranged and used. “My skills have majorly improved and
“I definitely have developed my very own given me a lot of experience, especially with
style of interior design through all the Path- the different tools we have,” Kaitlynn said.
ways classes that went over all the principles of “The things that we’re learning are definitely
design,” Kaitlynn said. “I think it really appealed applicable. A lot of the stuff I learned is directly
to me because I’m able to create a safe and visu- connected to it. I can take what I learned at the
ally appealing space - really take a space and use high school level and take it further in college
lighting and colors to give definition to it.” and use it on job sites.”
In Interior Design, Kaitlynn enjoyed Kaitlynn plans to major in Interior Design
working with a construction class to design or Architecture in college. She’s already been
and build a 3-D model home. The construction accepted into the Queen University of Charlotte,
class followed a floor plan to build the home and as well as UNC Charlotte, which has a nationally
Kaitlynn then got to paint the home and apply recognized architecture program.
her own style to the interior. One of her favor- “I think my ultimate goal is I would really
ite parts of the project was when the class used love to be able to flip houses, working with
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to structural components and being able to design
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 year at Burnsville High School that she started to design the floor plans for houses. them and set them up for buyers,” she said.
“It’s really similar to what companies actu-
Kaitlynn Patterson’s interests in interior think about how she could develop her passion ally use and how businesses actually operate. “That would bring together the construction and
the design components. I think that would be
design and construction were first sparked as a and someday turn it into a career. I think access to those tools has been really really interesting.”
kid when she’d watch home makeover shows on “All of the classes in the Pathways allowed helpful,” she said. Learn more at pathways.isd191.org.
HGTV. me to explore my interests and begin narrow- Kaitlynn has continued to gain hands-on
She enjoyed helping out with small projects ing down my future intentions and plans. They experience, as well. She took Construction as
around the house, but she never saw it as any- really cemented it for me,” Kaitlynn said. a junior, as well as Woodworking. Then last
thing more than a fun way to stay busy and be In addition to her Interior Design class, summer she got a job clearing out dirt as part of www.isd191.org
useful. It wasn’t until she started taking classes Kaitlynn has also taken Architecture and Civil a demolition crew that was preparing land for an
within the Design, Engineering and Manufactur- Engineering, which have given her a broader apartment building near her house. She said the
ing Technology Pathway during her sophomore understanding of design principles and the role

Wabasso Enables Students to Achieve Future Goals through CTE

for our football, baseball, and softball games. class, students learn the skills of home building.
They have also engaged in creating their own Our students have put steel on our press box and
projects. suites that allow our spectators to stay warm and
Students also have the opportunity to work dry during football games. They also have helped
with our laser engraver where they cut wood, to build a spectator platform by our football
aluminum, and engrave wood, plexiglass and field. Other projects include a Morton building
metal surfaces. We create the majority of our and most recently, our students were building a
athletic and activities awards in house as part garage for a community member.
of our industrial technology classes. Also, Wabasso Public School emphasizes the
we help out our district with making awards. importance of giving back to our community
In addition to making awards, we also have and one of the ways is our industrial technology
helped engrave for businesses with creating classes helping residents with building garages,
signs or logos for them. Students also use the roofing, and home maintenance.
laser technology to enhance their own projects We truly emphasize the importance of
with family farm emblems, creation of 3D woodworking in these classes and offer experi-
designs, and adding names to their work. ential learning opportunities. Our students will
The woodworking classes also create go to a manufactured homes manufacturer in
projects that are given to one of our fundraisers. Redwood, MN and learn how homes are made
Every year we hold a Rabbit Pride Gala, which at their facility. Some of our students work there
is an event that entails a silent and live auction during high school or post high school. We will
Wabasso Public Schools, ISD 640 and Improvement. All of these courses offer with the proceeds supporting our school. Our also take our students to career fairs with an
Wabasso Public School, located in rural hands-on learning opportunities where students woodworking students have donated cedar emphasis on industrial technology.
Southwestern Minnesota, is home to about 400 can engage in learning about CTE skills and planter boxes, cutting boards, and coffee tables Wabasso Public School does an excellent
K-12 students and serves the communities of careers associated with CTE. for the silent auction. For the live auction, they job equipping our students with CTE skills and
Vesta, Wanda, Lucan, Seaforth, and Wabasso. Advanced Woods I and Advanced Woods donate much larger projects like finishing a career opportunities that will enable them to
Wabasso Public School students have a wide II are two courses designed to give students garage or roofing a house. This year the stu- achieve their future goal!
array of opportunities in the areas of industrial experience in the industry of woodworking. dents in advanced woodworking are building
technology, agriculture, and art. Students are active in learning about the uses an American Flag high top table with benches
Our industrial technology classes include: of equipment, building skills, and real-world to be auctioned off at our Gala.
IT 8, IT 9, Advanced Woods I, Advanced Woods career paths associated with woodworking. Another industrial technology class offered www.isd640.org
II, Metals, and Welding, and Home Maintenance Students have helped to build ticket booths is Home Maintenance and Improvement. In this