On Tuesday, Jan. 13, about 40 students from Durango High School and Bayfield High School came together at the Impact Career Innovation Center for a full day of hands-on, project-based STEM learning.
What makes this event especially meaningful is how quickly the program has grown. DHS has only been part of TSA for three years. In that short time, students and staff have gone from learning the ropes to hosting a regional event — and intentionally partnering with another rural district to expand opportunities for everyone involved.
Throughout the day, students presented projects ranging from robotics, animatronics, CAD engineering, manufacturing prototypes, and dragster design to digital video production, graphic design, game design, comic creation, and software development. Industry professionals from local businesses served as judges and mentors, asking students to explain their design process, present their work, and respond to questions using professional rubrics.
In addition to formal interviews, students participated in interactive challenges and workshops, including a spaghetti-and-marshmallow build, cup-stacking challenge, T-shirt design, tech bowl, and mock-up design challenge. Student officers also practiced public speaking during opening and closing ceremonies.
“TSA is growing, and our students are proving to be true competitors,” said Morgan Kraska, DHS Design and Multimedia Arts teacher and TSA advisor. She worked in collaboration with DHS teachers Peter Fogg (Physics and Computer Science) and Darrien Clitso (Digital Media and Communications) to make the event happen. “Hosting this event gives students valuable feedback before state competitions and strengthens our partnership with Bayfield High School. It’s a win for both communities.”
The mock trials reflect Durango School District’s commitment to experiential, project-based learning and its Portrait of a Graduate vision. Through authentic, hands-on experiences like this, students build skills as Confident Communicators, Resilient Risk-Takers, and Creative Problem-Solvers — skills that prepare them for life beyond high school.