March 28, 2024

CCHS CAST program collaborates with community

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Creston Community High School’s communications and service technology (CAST) program has already been collaborating with members of the community on various projects under its previous EAST moniker.

Wednesday, the CAST program held a think tank at CCHS, inviting representatives from a number of different area businesses and organizations.

Nearly 20 representatives from various area businesses attended the think tank, where they then had the opportunity to speak with students and brainstorm ways the CAST program could benefit their business or organization.

The goal of the think tank was to inform businesses of what the CAST program is and does, and how the students in the program can collaborate with community members.

“We created this environment for them to come into and, from that, they have formed Panther TV and the CAST program, which is part of the AEA’s umbrella of ILEAD,” said Stephanie Lane of Green Hills Area Education Agency. “While we want this to be a southern Iowa thing, two AEAs – Great Prairie and Green Hills – have joined together to start this program, and we want it to go across southern Iowa. Each district, we want for them to have their own brand, work with their own community and build themselves as they continue to grow.”

CAST is currently offered as a high school elective class at CCHS, whereas at partner schools Danville and New London, it is offered as a core credit.

Creston Community School District partnered with Green Hills AEA to transform the classroom the students learn in.

The high school’s 21C room features a number of televisions scattered throughout the room and is highlighted by its open space and comfortable seating.

“It doesn’t allow for the traditional style of teaching,” Lane said. “That was our very first thing was to shake things up and put our teachers in a position they weren’t able to go back to the way we went to school. We wanted it to be about student choice. We wanted it to be about comfort for them.”

The room fosters an environment where students are able to be creative.

The projects the CAST students work on are interdisciplinary, often incorporating several different areas of curriculum into one project, whether it be math, science, social studies or English.

Students take those skills and apply them to their projects.

One of the biggest collaborations between the CAST program and the community thus far has been the partnership with KSIB Radio, making Panther TV come to life.

Through that partnership, Chad Rieck of KSIB Radio has worked with students to live-stream athletic events and other school activities, while also producing commercials for various businesses to air during those broadcasts.

“We try to match students up with their business interests, personality, what types of things they excel at, some of those skills I can get a good read on to get a better match for the businesses, as well,” said Maggie Arnold, CCHS CAST instructor.

The CAST program currently holds a project count of 25, which continues to grow. Many of those projects are student led.

“They really do get that real-world experience, application to the business community,” Lane said. “They are free then to explore their passions. You have the ability to have this group of students be problem solvers for you. The kids engage in projects that may or may not have been possible for your business.”

Lane said one thing the program helps students work on is how to compose an email, how to hone their online skills in a video conference and how to conduct themselves during an in-person meeting – skills that otherwise might not be taught in a high school class setting.

“Now, we feel like we’re creating partnerships and opportunities for these kids to go out and meet people, gain those tools and skills they need to succeed when they leave Creston Community High School,” said Scott Driskell, elementary principal and technology liaison for the district. “It’s really a multi-dimensional tool for us to teach our students. That’s the focus.”