North Polk Paving the Way in Career & Technical Education

Note: Since the original publication of this article, the U.S. Department of Education has announced the early termination of the CTE CHIPS Challenge. While the competition has ended, North Polk remains fully committed to the work outlined below and will continue developing innovative career and technical education (CTE) programming that prepares students for the future.
 

A National Spotlight: The CHIPS Challenge
This past spring, North Polk was named one of just 36 semi-finalists—and the only one from Iowa—in the U.S. Department of Education’s CTE CHIPS Challenge, a national competition focused on building strong career pathways in high-tech and high-demand industries. The challenge supports schools in creating innovative plans to recruit, train, and place students in careers aligned with the growing semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.

As a semi-finalist, North Polk is actively participating in Phase 2 of the challenge, which runs through December 2025. During this time, the district is receiving expert guidance, engaging in national collaboration, and refining its action plan to strengthen local career and technical education programs.

Drones, Ag-Tech, and the Future of Learning
North Polk’s proposal builds upon the district’s strong agricultural community, robust FFA program, and growing CTE offerings. As part of its CHIPS Challenge initiative, the district aims to prepare students for semiconductor fabrication (fab) construction and advanced manufacturing-aligned careers by integrating agriculture drone technology into its CTE program.

This effort will equip students with essential skills in drone operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, while also creating more work-based learning opportunities with industry partners. As agriculture evolves through advanced technology, North Polk is focused on bridging the gap between education and workforce needs.

By combining classroom learning with real-world experience, the district aims to create clear pathways for students to thrive in emerging ag-tech and manufacturing careers, strengthening both individual futures and our community’s economic growth.

Although the CHIPS Challenge has come to an early close, North Polk’s vision continues. Our teams remain dedicated to developing forward-thinking CTE programs that reflect both our community’s strengths and the demands of a rapidly changing world.