FAQs

Orbis Project-Based Experience is a work-based, project-based high school elective course where students engage in authentic projects in partnership with businesses, nonprofits, and community members.

In Orbis, students unleash their passion, realize their potential, and impact the world. Synergy abounds as our Project Mentors team up with Project Providers and Workforce Experts to equip the next generation of creative problem-solvers. What makes us unique? Student Innovators:

• Co-design their learning, engaging in personalized experiences unique to their passions, interests, and skills.
• Engage in authentic project work with the workforce.
• Collaborate with the workforce and peers from multiple high schools.
• Are empowered as young professionals.

Our Orbis guarantee is that we bridge classroom learning with the community and workforce. Our alumni consistently report the unique, relevant impact their Orbis experiences have had on their lives after high school, no matter their college or career field of choice. Specifically, they have strengthened skills in leadership, problem-solving, communication and collaboration, and time management, all of which apply to every career field. Put simply, the mystery of life outside of the bricks and mortar of a school setting is unveiled in Orbis. Students are more confident in advocating for themselves, have applied business practices in innovation and problem-solving, and are passionate about serving others and making a difference.

The name, Orbis, came from students. In the spring of 2017, secondary students from both feeder systems engaged in a process to name our college and career readiness program for Ankeny Schools. Ultimately, they selected Orbis, which is the Latin term for compass. Their justification was that each student – as he/she goes through our system of elementary, middle, and high school – follows his/her own compass in navigating their lifetime of personal success. Once the students determined the name, Orbis, they designed the logo, specifically making the “O” in Orbis a compass.

1. Register for Orbis just like you register for your other courses during the registration process, in collaboration with your school counselor.
2. Submit an Orbis Enrollment Form.
   1. Enrollment Form for students in Ankeny Schools (Ankeny High School and Centennial High School)
   2. Enrollment Form for students in neighboring districts

Questions? Feel free to contact our team:
Dr. Jill Urich, Director of Orbis
Chad Brooks, Project Mentor
Joel Fox, Project Mentor

Our high schools offer outstanding legacy courses from which to choose as students navigate their 4-year graduation plans in alignment with their skills, passions, and vision for a lifetime of personal success. As students make their selections, Orbis is among their many choices supporting a pathway to career and college success. Orbis features the opportunity to engage in work-based learning while solving real problems in an authentic project-based experience.

Students who enroll in Orbis for multiple semesters have the opportunity to earn a Lead Innovator certificate with focus areas in leadership, Design Thinking, and agile project management.

In Orbis, students unleash their passion, realize their potential, and impact the world. Synergy abounds as our Project Mentors team up with Project Providers and Workforce Experts to equip the next generation of creative problem-solvers.

What makes us unique?

Student Innovators:

• Co-design their learning, engaging in personalized experiences unique to their passions, interests, and skills.
• Engage in authentic project work with the workforce.
• Collaborate with the workforce and peers from multiple high schools.
• Are empowered as young professionals.

Our Orbis guarantee is that we bridge classroom learning with the community and workforce. Our alumni consistently report the unique, relevant impact their Orbis experiences have had on their lives after high school, no matter their college or career field of choice. Specifically, they have strengthened skills in leadership, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration, all of which apply to every career field. Put simply, the mystery of life outside of the bricks and mortar of a school setting is unveiled in Orbis. Students are more confident in advocating for themselves, have applied business practices in innovation and problem-solving, and are passionate about serving others and making a difference.

Bring your curiosity to Orbis! Students in grades 10-12 who are curious by nature will find Orbis to be a fulfilling experience, one that prepares you for your post-secondary learning and career. As our Orbis Alumni say, “You get out of Orbis what you put into it. If you dive in and engage in the process, you will love it!”

Each student in Orbis is challenged in his/her own way, AND, each student brings their own skills, gifts, and passions to make an impact on their community. Orbis has proven to be a positive, impactful experience for:

• High achieving students
• Students identified as gifted (AELP)
• Hands-on, creative-minded students
• Students with “average” grades
• Students seeking a different learning environment

The Orbis Project-Based Experience is scheduled for two adjacent periods as a one-semester, 2-credit course. Students have the option of repeating Orbis throughout their high school experience in grades 10-12.

You will leave your high school campus during the periods you are scheduled for Orbis. The Orbis Collaboration Space is located at 1102 North Ankeny Blvd, adjacent to Northview Middle School (in the southwest corner of the facility). On most days, you will meet at Orbis, with the exception of days when off-site opportunities occur. Examples include meetings with your project provider, tours of local businesses and nonprofits, unique training experiences, job-shadowing, personalized experiences, etc.

Travel time is built into your Orbis block.

• Block 1-2: Dismissal time is 10-12 minutes prior to the end of 2nd period to allow travel time back to your home high school.
• Block 5-6: Travel time to Orbis begins after 4th period. Dismissal time is 10-12 minutes prior to the end of 6th period to allow travel time back to your home high school.
• Block 7-8: Travel time to Orbis begins after 6th period. Dismissal time is 10-12 minutes prior to the end of 8th period to allow travel time back to your home high school for activities.

While most students provide their own transportation, a shuttle is available for students attending Ankeny High School and Centennial High School. If you need this shuttle, please indicate this information on your Orbis Enrollment Form.

Students from neighboring districts provide their own transportation.

There are multiple ways to get involved in Orbis:

• Serve as a Project Provider.
• Serve as a Workforce Expert, where you offer your expertise to our Innovators.
• Facilitate a training.
• Provide a meeting space.
• Host a tour at your organization.
• Serve as a leadership coach.

The success of Orbis and its impact on our community is directly related to our many partnerships. Please contact us if you are interested in getting involved.

Dr. Jill Urich, Director of Postsecondary Readiness
Amy Steenhoek, Postsecondary Success Specialist & Orbis Director
Chad Brooks, Project Mentor
Joel Fox, Project Mentor
Michael Mertz, Project Mentor
Kevin Andrews, School-to-Work Coordinator

Problems to solve and/or project ideas can come from anyone- business, nonprofit organization, community member, student, etc. – by completing our Project Discovery Form.

The process begins with identifying a specific project or a problem needing solved. This idea can be generated by a business, a nonprofit organization, a community member, a teacher, or a student. Project ideas emerge from the following thoughts:

• What problem needs to be solved?
• What is a project that would contribute to the betterment of our local and/or global community?
• As an organization considers its list of projects, what are those projects they just can’t get to because of lack in resources, people, and time? For example, if there is a list of ten projects, what are those projects farther down on the list, numbers 7-10, that teams of students could do?
• Do you have a challenge where it would help to have a team of innovators generate ideas for solutions?