Pathways in Middle School: Fueling Exploration and Expanding Minds

Middle School students are getting real-world, hands-on learning experiences every day at District 191

On a given afternoon, visitors to Eagle Ridge or Nicollet Middle Schools may find students building and programming robots in one classroom and designing clothing for a fashion show in the next, while a third group is flying drones that are whizzing around the cafeteria. These types of experiences that foster exploration and nurture creativity are at the heart of what the Pathways program at the middle school level is all about. 

Through Pathways, every student in sixth and seventh grade experiences a variety of classes each quarter with teachers who focus on expanding opportunities and fueling interests. Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Paige Borden, Tech Ed teacher Austen Scheuneman, and Digital Literacy teacher Jennifer Schmidt are a few of the dedicated educators who provide these experiences and offer additional electives for eighth grade that dive deeper, preparing students to experience the 14 distinct Pathway options at Burnsville High School and their future. 

A Dash of This, A Bit of That

With so many pathways and career opportunities available, having the chance at a young age to engage with new things is invaluable for middle school students. In classes like Teen Cuisine, Automation & Robotics, and Film & Animation, students are dipping their toes into different worlds and using hands-on learning to get a glimpse of what careers are out there. 

In Tech Ed classes, students are doing 3D modeling and prototyping to design different items based on the challenge given, using snap circuits, and conducting flight simulations. They spend part of the week learning about different mechanisms or processes, and by the end of the week, use those same concepts in their own creations. In one project, eighth graders choose between three different clients who need items like spinning signs, automated pet toys, or a dragster and use their imagination and skills to create them. It’s not always a smooth process, which is part of the challenge. 

“Being able to see the authentic curiosity and desire to explore is really fun for them because they feel a little more independent and enjoy creating and seeing what works and what doesn’t,” said Scheuneman. “When I was a student here, this same type of experience sparked an interest for me because I had frustration with school and the stress, so this space where you can have some trial and error and less of a linear process was important.”

For many students, the FACS classroom may be the only time they get to explore a kitchen. With many kitchen spaces, it seems a bit chaotic with students, chopping, mixing and moving around. They learn basics like kitchen safety in sixth grade along with making little snacks and hand sewing and then progress to more baking and stovetop cooking in later grades, while also learning about nutrition and essential skills like budgeting. While not every student will end up working in a professional kitchen, all students learn essential skills. 

“Everyone has to eat and knowing the basics of how to be safe and handle yourself in a kitchen is important,” said Borden. “Seeing the growth in students is unbelievable. I see confidence growing in them when they get to try and fail and learn from their mistakes for the next time. They usually still eat the food even if it’s a little burnt!” 

Students are learning about the digital world while learning the basics of how to use standard software programs like Google and Microsoft suites, and are also learning coding, how to create games, and even how to edit videos. While technology changes quickly, students still have a foundation of knowledge with simple things like what a save button looks like, how to share a link, or the general functionality of video software. 

“It’s a fun class and we do cool things that students really enjoy but it also really helps them know how to use their devices in a variety of ways,” said Schmidt. “It’s fun to see some students really take off with these things and some who really don’t like it, but it’s good to experience it. I am personally not a big fan of coding, but some kids really take to it and do cool things!” 

Getting A Head Start by Building Prior Knowledge

They say that you don’t know what you don’t know. By having so many different subjects introduced at the middle school level, District 191 students are gaining a truly broad base of knowledge to help them when they choose to go deeper in any direction. Through classes like these as well as extracurricular clubs and activities and support from programs like Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), there are tons of opportunities for students to spark, fuel and blaze in any given interest or skill. 

Eagle Ridge Principal Dave Helke was part of the original team developing the One91 Pathways Program at Burnsville High School before returning to the middle school three years ago. He has a unique perspective on how to combine high school focused experiences like affinity groups and clubs with student interests and ultimately career and college exploration and readiness. 

“The Pathway work really happens in every classroom,” said Helke. “I was in a math class and they were designing their dream home while calculating square footage. An ELA class might be making an advertisement to try different writing styles. No matter what the career path is, there is entry-level knowledge and skills to give students access to those early on really gives them a head start with prior knowledge.”

The Bigger Picture

Learning skills and exploring new topics is important, but one of the best things about the Pathways Program is that it focuses on the whole child with important concepts. Whether it is collaboration, trial and error, or gaining confidence. These middle school experiences push students beyond their comfort zone and into a place where they are free to explore while gaining essential skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. 

“The more experience you have with everything is knowledge that will serve you well,” said Borden. “Career exploration and trades are so

important for kids who may not want to go to college, but it is also important to be exposed to these things to see what you like.”

“Seeing students light up when they find something they really like, whether it is coding or working with video is really exciting,” said Schmidt. 

“We use a lot of different concepts and methods and some kids will find that certain things are just not for them and that is ok,” added Scheuneman.

By requiring all sixth and seventh grade students to try a bit of everything, and then allowing students to choose electives in eighth grade, the district is making it easy for students to create their own path. 

“It adds relevance and excitement to the middle school experience,” said Helke. “At the middle school level, the Pathways model is all about exploration and opportunities, while also supporting social-emotional learning and a strong academic foundation.”