3DE™ Students Engage with Iowa Leaders to Share Their Impact

Author: Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Published: Friday, 31 Jan 2025

Sharing

Image caption: 3DE™ students speak with Iowa lawmakers at the Capitol, sharing their firsthand experiences with the program and its impact on their education. These future leaders are advocating for the importance of hands-on, real-world learning opportunities!

January 28 was a big day for 3DE™ by Junior Achievement in Eastern Iowa! Students had the opportunity to introduce 3DE™ to state leaders at the Iowa Legislature during Educator Day on the Hill in the Capitol Rotunda, while Governor Reynolds visited Alburnett Schools to learn more about their success in open enrollment and the impact of 3DE™ in the district.

3DE™ Students Visit the Iowa Legislature

A group of 3DE™ students traveled to Des Moines to speak at the Iowa State Capitol, sharing firsthand how this innovative program is transforming their education. These students showcased the real-world impact of project-based learning, emphasizing how 3DE™ connects them with business professionals and work-based learning opportunities. Their voices highlighted the power of hands-on education in preparing them for future careers.

For many students, this experience was an opportunity to share the importance of 3DE™ and advocate for expanding its reach.

“It was important for me to share about 3DE™ at the Iowa Capitol for a few reasons. The main one was to spread the message of 3DE™. This program is new in Iowa, so by talking about it with teachers from other schools and representatives, I was able to inform others.” – Brianna G.

Speaking with state representatives was a unique and meaningful experience for the students. While some were initially nervous, they quickly realized how engaged and supportive the legislators were.

“My favorite part of speaking with representatives was the experience it gave me. I was able to speak with these people, who represent me, about the things our school needs and how to improve the community. I was also able to learn how to speak to these adults.” – Brianna G.

“Sharing at the state Capitol was important to me because I believe the legislators should know what is going on in schools. Being able to share my experience with 3DE™ was amazing.” – Josey R.

The students were pleasantly surprised by how involved the representatives were in the conversation. Rather than simply listening, the lawmakers actively asked questions about 3DE™ and its impact.

“My favorite part of speaking to state representatives was how excited and involved in the conversation they were. Instead of just letting us speak, they asked questions regarding 3DE™.” – Josey R.

Beyond discussing 3DE™, the experience at the Capitol gave students a greater understanding of leadership and advocacy.

“I learned from this experience that you should always take the opportunity to try something new. This was a very rare opportunity for everyone, and I'm glad that I could go. It was important to share 3DE™ at the Capitol so we can get more recognition and share 3DE™ with all schools.” – Ellie S.

For some, the biggest challenge was overcoming the initial intimidation of speaking with state leaders. However, they soon realized that these officials were eager to listen and learn.

“The most challenging part about speaking with representatives was knowing that they are just normal people who we shouldn't be nervous to speak with.” – Ellie S.

Image caption: Governor Kim Reynolds with 3DE™ by Junior Achievement staff during her visit to Alburnett Schools. The visit highlighted the impact of 3DE™ in connecting students with real-world career opportunities and local businesses.

Governor Reynolds Visits Alburnett Schools

On the same day, Governor Kim Reynolds visited Alburnett Schools, one of our district partners, to learn more about their success in open enrolling students. Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa was proud to be part of the visit, showcasing how 3DE™ is creating meaningful connections between students and local businesses at Alburnett and College Community School District.

Dr. Nate Klein, Vice President of Education at JAEI, expressed excitement for the future:

“We are excited to have follow-up conversations about partnering with the state to explore a more robust rollout and welcome Governor Reynolds to come back for a culminating event soon!”

Through 3DE™’s case challenges, students collaborate with business professionals to tackle real-world problems. These mentors and business partners guide students through the process, coaching them on their solutions and ultimately watching them present their findings. The program brings learning to life by bridging the gap between the classroom and the workplace. Governor Reynolds was excited to learn that 3DE™ provides districts with an on-campus option for work-based learning, which is a key focus area of the state’s educational priorities.

A huge thank you to Governor Reynolds for taking the time to learn more about 3DE™’s impact and to our 3DE™ students for advocating for their education at the Capitol. We are excited about the future of 3DE™ in Iowa and the continued partnerships that will help students build skills for success!