GO CAPS

GO CAPS just wrapped up the first quarter of the 2022-23 school year, which also happens to be the 8th year of the program. We started this year strong with a 'new to GO CAPS' instructor team as well as with an enthusiastic bunch of students. During the first quarter, students were engaged in learning and practicing professionalism skills. Part of that focus included a two-week long Professionalism Retreat where students from all three strands had the opportunity to learn new things from industry partners and then practice the skills they learned while participating in team and character building challenges.

Toward the end of the 1st quarter, students have started shadowing. Students are encouraged to do so at least once per week for the length of the class period. Instructors have also been working with students to secure business partner projects, project management tips, and to start thinking about the topic of their capstone experience. The work of the capstone experience will span most of 2nd semester and will end in a culminating Capstone Showcase to happen on the evening of April 27th. Stay tuned for more details to come about the Capstone Showcase! -Dana Hubbard

Students have started out the year building their professional durable skills, challenging their comfort levels while problem solving in groups, exercising innovative mindsets, and exploring various types of entrepreneurship. We have hosted the following professionals who have shared their expertise and knowledge while sharing their professional journeys: Angie Mullings of Century 21 Integrity Group where giving back to the community is part of their culture; Callie Linville of City Utilities is an expert at networking strategies; Heather Noggle from Codistac & Global Wizard shared her start up strategies; Brett Payne of Contender eSports empowered the students to go out and change the world with their problem solving ideas. The dynamic panel of Chris,Trenton, Bill & Lane from OMG Commerce guided students through the process of taking an idea and creating a marketable product/service. Students also had the opportunity to see intrapreneurship in action as well as the many services and career opportunities available at Prime Inc’s headquarters. -Misty Shirk

PLACES TO SEE AND THINGS TO LEARN

We started the year learning about the Design Cycle with many different examples, some very practical professionalism skills, and a whole bunch of team building. The group is now touring various businesses to make sure each student finds a placement that interests them. October tours included: Paul Mueller, John Deere Reman, L&W Industries, SRC Electric and Automotive, Springfield Landfill, Northwest Treatment Plant, Associated Electric, Springfield Underground, Vital Farms, and Ozarks Coca-Cola. -Jackie McCarthy

So far this year we’ve covered topics in Intro to Anatomy, Intro to Physiology, Integumentary System, Skeletal System, Joints & Movement, and Muscular System. Some of the projects and labs we have undertaken include a Medical Facility Design, Planes and Sections Lab, Movement Thru Membranes Lab, Bone Identification Lab, Muscle Model Construction, Fetal Pig Dissection, and Sheep Knee Joint Dissection. We have also visited several area health facilities and toured Jordan Valley Health Center, Mercy Hospital, Cox North, Cox South, and the MSU Biomedical Sciences Department and Human Cadaver Lab. Students have completed shadowing rotations at Jordan Valley Health (Dental, Pediatrics, Urgent Care, Family Practice, Women’s Health, Behavioral Medicine, Physical Therapy, and Optometry), Mercy (ER, Lab, Pharmacy, Imaging, Medical/Surgical, Anesthesia, Marian Center, and Labor/Delivery), and Cox South (Medical Oncology, Labor/Delivery, and Pathology). We’ve just started planning our Competitive Events and Chapter Awards for HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America). -Adrienne Deckard

We could not do the work we do to get students out of the classroom and engaging in work-based learning without dedicated partners. We are always on the hunt for partners who would like to engage with our instructors and students. GO CAPS is a great way for industry partners to get their mission and purpose out there with the future workforce. If you are a partner that would like to engage, or know of one you'd like us to reach out to, please contact Karen Kunkel, GO CAPS Coordinator, at 417-862-5567 or karen@springfieldchamber.com. Thank you!

The CAPS Network is a global program that serves as the parent program of GO CAPS. HundrED.org just published their 2023 report that includes CAPS Network as a top global innovator. GO CAPS is proud to be affiliated with of a top 100 international innovation project!