| | JUNE 20248IN MY OPINION THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND CAREER PATHWAYS IN K-12 EDUCATIONBy Colin Rickman, Director of Communications and Engagement, St. Vrain Valley SchoolsSt. Vrain Valley Schools, located in Colorado, is a leader in incorporating advanced technology in K-12 education. With our cutting-edge initiatives and programs, we have demonstrated that preparing students for a rapidly advancing technological world is not only possible, but necessary to improve the communities that we operate in. St. Vrain Valley Schools was at the forefront of bringing technology and access into the hands of our 33,000 students. Starting in 2012, our one-to-one iPad initiative gave all students access to the world. This played a vital role in our preparedness to not only continue to educate all children through the pandemic, but to thrive due to our experienced staff. Our system as a whole has seen success and of the many factors that contribute to that success is our adept integration of technology at all grade levels. We are intentionally building skills from early ages so that by the time students are in the latter years of their K-12 experience, they are using that technology to design, build, and create. Another important part of our success has come with the increased access to career and technical education (CTE). Through both our Innovation Center and Career Elevation and Technology Center, we offer high-tech pathways that lead to industry certifications. These pathways have proven to be highly successful. Alongside industry partners and mentors, students study high-tech fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, aeronautics, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity, among others. With a focus on design thinking, students are prepared through problem solving and critical thinking skills. We have found that our industry partners are seeking these skills in their workforce, often more than any others as they need a workforce that is able to adapt and learn with advancing technology. Providing students with hands-on, practical experience in cutting-edge technologies is giving students a competitive advantage over their peers. Providing students with hands-on, practical experience in cutting-edge technologies is giving students a competitive advantage over their peersColin Rickman
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