2023 CAPS Innovation Celebration

CAPS TO SHOWCASE PROJECTS AND EXPERIENCES ON APRIL 26th

Over 25 exhibits will showcase projects and experiences from 6th-grade teams and high school student associates from nine area high schools at the annual CAPS celebration.

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA, April 12, 2023 — The high school programs involved in the Cedar Valley Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) are hosting their signature event at the end of April to showcase the experiences of the student associates and their project work with local businesses.

The 2023 Innovation Celebration will take place on Wednesday, April 26, from 5:30- 7:00 pm at the Bien Venu Event Center in Cedar Falls, with admission being free and open to the public, with sponsorship support from the Black Hawk Economic Development, Cedar Falls Schools Foundation, Cedar Falls Utilities, Hawkeye Community College, Jam City, Kryton Engineered Metals, Lost Island, MercyOne, University of Northern Iowa, Veridian Credit Union, Viking Pump, and the Western Home Foundation.

“Educating our student associates is a community effort, and we believe that involving the public in our Innovation Celebration Showcase is an opportunity to showcase our team's talent and hard work,” said Cedar Falls CAPS Director Ethan Wiechmann. “This event also allows community members to engage with the next generation of leaders and innovators."

More sixth-grade teams from Cedar Fall Aldrich Elementary School have been added to the event this year. These students will exhibit alongside the high school students as they exhibit the Team Innovation projects they have completed this school year.

Throughout the school years, CAPS associates immerse themselves in real-life projects and professional experiences to give them valuable experience in supporting the mission and goals of local businesses and organizations. Business partners and CAPS instructors support the development of the student associates by nurturing durable skills while working on real-world projects. Ultimately the work performed through CAPS has the goal of providing value to the business partner and impacting the companies, organizations, and communities of the Cedar Valley.

CAPS is a Profession-Based Learning program built around the four cornerstones of Innovation, Problem Solving, Professional Skills, and Career Exploration, with the mission to Prepare ALL Students for their Purpose.  

Cedar Valley CAPS began in 2017 with the Cedar Falls CAPS program and has expanded exponentially since then, serving 230 high school students region-wide. The Cedar Falls High School program offers six industry strands, while students involved with programs associated with Charles City, Columbus Catholic, Denver, Don Bosco Catholic, Jesup, Dunkerton and Wapsie Valley, and Waterloo high schools offer an all-inclusive CAPS pathway that helps prepare all students for their purpose through experience, skills, and exposure to various industries and professions.

The Cedar Valley CAPS programs are partners in the Iowa CAPS consortium and members of the national CAPS Network.

For more information on engaging with CAPS in the Cedar Valley, go to www.cfcaps.org or email nate.clayberg@cfschools.org.