Des Moines Public Schools is an innovator in Career and Technical Education programming, drawing students from DMPS schools and surrounding school districts to Central Campus every school year. This summer, staff found a way to expand the opportunities available to students with a paid summer internship program. The result was a waiting list, and students clamoring for another summer of career choices.
“It was very, very exciting and challenging at the same time,” said senior Barrett Weisphenning, who travels to Des Moines from Saylor Township. Weisphenning spent the summer as the Central Campus aqua science life support bio technician in the largest student-run high school aquarium in the country.
“If something broke, I would be the one to fix it,” he said. “My job was building, installing, and replacing life support systems.”
The Summer Youth Internship Program was funded with a $100,000 grant from Iowa Workforce Development submitted by Jennifer Scott, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Central Campus. The grant is designed to help students prepare for high-demand careers in the workforce. The internships during the summer of 2024 included carpentry, marketing, aqua science and marine biology, agriculture encompassing work in the greenhouse and orchard, aviation which included building a WWII airplane, cybersecurity with Casey’s General Stores, and DMPS technology support. The variety of options helps students with different skills and career aspirations.
Central Campus Associate Principal Kelise Mouchka said the response from students was so overwhelming in the short window that the application period was open this year, she sees room for expansion if they can secure the grant for next summer.
“Our concept was proved out that if you trust kids and you believe in kids, and you let them do the authentic work, incredible things happen, Mouchka said. “At Central Campus we are going to pursue that relentlessly, finding opportunities for students.”
Roosevelt High School senior Addison Stone said the paid summer internship program was the best choice she ever made and recommended it to any student interested in moving their learning forward in a significant way and selecting a school and career.
“I usually worked 6 and a half hours a day,” Stone said, “general work in the (aquarium) lab for 3 hours and then several hours of research. The internship has really set me up for success because now I have a better idea of what I want to do and where I want to go. Now, it’s just a matter of putting that into action.”
If approved for another grant, Central Campus will send out a districtwide communication with information for applying for a 2025 paid summer internship. Families can watch for that email in late May.
Weisphenning encourages anyone ready for an exciting challenge to apply.
“Take risks, push yourself out of your comfort zone and see where it gets you,” he said.
Mouchka said the internship is a win-win-win for students and Des Moines Public Schools as the district seeks to bridge education and careers that support Iowa’s economy.
“Our interns have tackled significant challenges, such as resolving a plumbing issue in the aquarium sciences lab, remodeling an electrical classroom for increased capacity, and developing a new social media marketing plan—all contributing to the district’s improvement. They are also cultivating essential self-efficacy skills, including collaborating with supervisors, working as part of a team, managing time through clocking in and out, and understanding pay periods and tax implications. The students have overwhelmingly met and exceeded our program expectations, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.”
The interviews shared in this blog post are part of The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public Schools Podcast, episode 15: Paid Summer Internship at Central Campus. Listen below or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public Schools Podcast
Central Campus Paid Summer Internship Program Photos
