TriDistrict CAPS Third Annual Design Challenge

TriDistrict Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) students from all five programs came together at Evolve Workplace in West St. Paul for a fast-paced “crash course” in Design Thinking and Human Centered Design. These are problem-solving tools that help students focus on the needs of the user or client, working with them to create solutions, instead of just designing for them.

After the workshop, the program teamed up with the River Heights and Dakota County Regional Chambers of Commerce to connect students with local business partners who had real challenges to tackle. Organizations like DARTS, SKB Environmental, Minnesota Tech for Success, Dakota County Public Health, and the DCR Chamber shared their problems, and students got right to work brainstorming fresh ideas.

Students and partners spent the afternoon diving into the Human Centered Design process, coming up with creative solutions. Back in class, they worked with their instructors to refine those ideas into polished proposals and then presented them directly to the business leaders. It was an incredible day of collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation, and a great example of how CAPS gives students real-world experiences that matter.

Want to learn how your business can tap into the creativity and energy of CAPS students? Or how your student can get involved? Reach out to Ben Kusch, Director of TriDistrict CAPS, at bkusch@tridistrictce.org.  

What is TriDistrict CAPS?

TriDistrict CAPS is a partnership between South St. Paul, Simley, and Two Rivers High Schools that gives juniors and seniors hands-on, real-world learning experiences. Students explore their interests, discover their strengths, and connect with career paths while building skills that prepare them for life after high school—whether that’s college, the workforce, or the military.

Our courses live at the intersection of what local employers need and what students aspire to, creating powerful, profession-based learning opportunities.