Monroe High School is gearing up for an exciting March, filled with opportunities to witness student innovation, explore career pathways, and connect with local businesses. The LAUNCH Project Presentations on March 7 will highlight the hard work and problem-solving skills of students as they present real-world solutions developed in partnership with area businesses. Upcoming events like the Green County Youth Apprenticeship Job Fair on March 11 and the Construction Trades Day on March 12 will provide valuable networking and hands-on learning experiences for students considering careers in various industries.
Whether you’re a community member, business leader, or educator, these events offer a unique chance to support student growth and workforce development in Monroe. Read on to learn more about each event and how you can get involved!
LAUNCH Project Presentations Set for March 7
On Friday, March 7, Monroe High School’s LAUNCH students will present their trimester 2 projects, showcasing their problem-solving skills and collaboration with local businesses. Each of the 15 project teams will have approximately 10 minutes to explain their work and answer audience questions. Presentations from each team will be offered twice, and will take place from 1:45 to 2:45 pm in classrooms throughout the high school.
Attendees are welcome to visit as many presentations as they’d like. Parking is available in the lot on 26th Street at the front of the school, and guests should enter through the “Arch” doors. Maps will be provided to help navigate to the presentation rooms.
Tri-Two Business Partnerships
Throughout the trimester, students in different LAUNCH tracks partnered with local businesses and organizations to tackle real-world challenges:
Business Analytics students applied data analysis skills while working with Colony Brands, Fowler Dental Clinic, the City of Monroe, Green County Land & Water Conservation, and Monroe Truck Equipment.
Behavioral Health students developed innovative solutions to support mental health and wellness in collaboration with Family Promise, Better Brodhead, Green County Public Health, and Green County Human Services.
Media Solutions students enhanced their skills in social media, web design, and videography through projects with Thyme Savor, the Monroe Police Department, Green County Development Corporation (GCDC), Monroe Truck Equipment, and Gold Champion Nutrition.
Skilled Building Trades students continued construction of a house south of Monroe Middle School as part of GCDC’s Home Construction Cooperative.
Following the March 7 presentations, students will transition to new project teams for the final trimester, working on fresh challenges presented by local businesses. The next round of LAUNCH presentations will take place on Wednesday, May 21 at Monroe High School.
Submit a Project
LAUNCH is a year-long program that allows students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world problems proposed by local businesses and organizations. Each trimester, students form teams of three to four members and collaborate with a business mentor to develop solutions.
Businesses and organizations interested in submitting a project for LAUNCH students can contact Cara Carper at caracarper@monroe.k12.wi.us or (608) 328-7573.
Green County Youth Apprenticeship Job Fair — March 11
The Youth Apprenticeship Job Fair will take place on Tuesday, March 11 at Monroe High School. More than 20 businesses looking to start or expand their Youth Apprenticeship programs have signed up to exhibit at the event.
Hosted by the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (SWWDB) and the Rock & Green County Youth Apprenticeship Consortium, the Job Fair is an excellent opportunity for students to explore career options. The primary goal is to connect students with companies offering Youth Apprenticeship positions.
Interested in Hiring a Student?
Youth Apprenticeship programs provide students with paid, on-the-job training under the guidance of an industry mentor. These apprenticeships allow students to gain valuable skills while earning state certification in their chosen career pathway.
Students must complete at least 450 hours of work (typically over a summer and school year) while receiving related classroom instruction. They can begin an apprenticeship as early as the summer before their junior year and continue through graduation.
Businesses interested in hiring a Youth Apprentice can contact Cara Carper at caracarper@monroe.k12.wi.us or (608) 328-7573.
Construction Trades Day — March 12
On Wednesday, March 12, Monroe High School will host Construction Trades Day, featuring hands-on learning stations organized by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). This event is designed for underclassmen with little or no background in construction, giving them the chance to explore different trade skills.
Interactive stations will include:
● Carpentry — Drilling deck boards together
● Tile Work — Creating a mosaic with tile
● Electrical — Installing an outlet in a wall
● Plumbing — Using plumbing expanders and fitting pipes into a wall
● Woodworking/Cabinetry/Millwork — Using a Shaper Origin CNC router
Construction Trades Day aims to spark student interest in high school trades classes and career paths in the skilled trades. By participating, students gain practical skills, career awareness, and potential opportunities for apprenticeships or future employment.
These upcoming events at Monroe High School provide valuable experiences for students, businesses, and community members. Whether through LAUNCH, Youth Apprenticeships, or Construction Trades Day, Monroe students are preparing for their futures with hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving.
— Cara Carper is the School District of Monroe Student Occupation and Academic Readiness (SOAR) Coordinator. She can be reached at caracarper@monroe.k12.wi.us.
