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It used to be that when a portable computer used by a student attending North Branch Area Public Schools needed repairs— the unit was taken out of circulation and shipped to wherever Chromebooks go for TLC.  

Thanks to a new high school course, students in North Branch high school  are fixing the technology themselves.  

The Viking I-T program last week accepted a $2,000 donation in support of the work being done positioning North Branch as a career training leader.  The grant is from “We Work for Health” a coalition created to develop the next generation of STEM (Science Tech Engineering and Math) professionals.

MN Representative Anne Neu Brindley, with two children attending school in North Branch, mentioned the district’s innovative programs in casually talking with a medical industry professional from the We Work for Health group.  The organization chose to award one of its grants to this I T effort and Rep. Neu Brindley was happy to help present the funding last week. 

Neu Brindley commented that North Branch has phenomenal teachers and always  finds a way to educate on limited funds,  and that she is thrilled to see North Branch offering hands-on learning opportunities.

High School Principal Clint Link says he predicts Viking I-T becomes a model for school districts all over.  

The synergy this arrangement provides is unmistakable. 

Consider the cost savings from extending the Chromebook longevity, plus the district reduces budgets to cover repair or replacement and skills that students take with them are priceless and useful in the real world.

There’s also the ‘cross curricular” benefit which, Principal Link explained,  is an element in North Branch educational ideology  Students master the technology program lessons by also applying math, art/graphics,  even spatial awareness that they learn in other classes. 

The successful four-semester  program not only results in certification in Chromebook repair; but in developing knowledge of three-dimensional printer operation,   and a certificate in Adobe design platform plus students do a capstone project. 

There are about 16 to 25 students in the Viking I-T classes at any given time.  

Instructor/facilitator Sherri Keller said the I-T program students also write and create video commercials to promote the district on-line, they learn about technology jobs available, they learn software operations.  She said the grant really adds to the “amazing opportunity” awaiting students. 

Viking I-T gets its training from Vivacity, a St Paul based tech firm.

According to North Branch Superintendent Sara Paul, the world of work is changing and students need outside-the-box policy, adding, “We thrive here on thinking big.”

Viking I T student Carson Weber, a senior, has been with this effort from the start. Visitors on hand for the grant announcement heard him describe how the program builds “problem solving’ and self-confidence.   He is feeling very comfortable in moving forward into a technology field when he graduates.

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