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Big Ideas in St Cloud
We had a great time with all the visitors in St Cloud! What a great event. See the article here
July 15, 2022
Big Ideas and Kids Connection
We hosted the 4th – 6th graders again and had a blast! Their quick wit and great questions kept us on our toes. Thank you again for being engaged and interested in the activities we prepared. We are looking forward to your next visit!
July 14, 2022
Instructors Needed!
Education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire. –W.B. Yeats Are you proud of your work in the trades? Will you help us ignite the fire in the next generation of skilled tradespeople? Will you help us in our mission to Inform, Inspire and Connect curious learners ages 13+
July 11, 2022
New AC paneling on the lab.
We’re getting our Mobile Learning Lab ready for a busy summer teaching kids about different trades! Today we’re thankful for our resident tradesmen, Ryan and Andy, for putting new AC paneling on the lab.
June 24, 2022
Kids Connection with Big Ideas
We had an absolute blast with the kids from Kids Connection today! Thank you so much for visiting, for being respectful, and for helping each other when you could. It was very impressive to see such a cool group of kids! We are excited about your next visit!
June 22, 2022
Steam Carnival!
BREAKING NEWS!! Big Ideas will be featured in the Steam Carnival at The National Center for Autonomous Technologies #ExperienceSTEAM event at The Mall of America, August 10th – 14th!! Follow the link to learn more: https://bigideasusa.org/experience-steam
June 19, 2022
May Recap – Over 1,100 Learners
Wow! May was a busy month. We had 17 Mobile Learning Lab events all over Minnesota. A very special event was the SCC Car Show. We had a great time seeing all the cars and trucks and talking about all the work that goes into them. Our Mobile Lab was on site and we offered
June 5, 2022
Class of 2022: Congratulations!
Class of 2022: Congratulations! Your last few years in school have had many challenges and you should be extremely proud of yourself that you overcame all of them on your path to graduation. This time of your life is a turning point. Some of you will move out of your childhood home and continue your
May 23, 2022
Big Ideas goes to Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial
The Big Ideas Inc Trailer made its way to LCWM today! The trailer allows students to explore careers through virtual reality. Some of the careers include welding, heavy equipment operation and auto painting. Students are also able to explore over 25 other careers using virtual reality headsets! It is a great day to be a
May 13, 2022
Tig Welding Classes
In-person classes are happening now! If you are interested in taking a class, see our events calendar here
May 12, 2022
Mobile Lab at Farmamerica
We had an amazing time at Farmamerica – The Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center Over the course of 2 days we met with over 300 students to talk about how the skilled trades fit within agriculture. Thanks to all the staff, students and teachers who make this event fun, interesting and inspiring to so many!
May 5, 2022
Girl Scouts Build Birdhouses
Big Ideas teaches bird house building with a local Girl Scouts group. Look at how great everyone did!
April 26, 2022
Big Ideas in Mankato!
Students at East and West high schools got to visit the Big Ideas mobile learning lab. They experienced virtual welding, virtual reality, excavating, and painting. The experience showcased high-wage and in-demand careers in Trade and Industry. Always learning and growing!
April 17, 2022
Big Ideas Mobile Learning Lab goes to Waseca
From the Waseca Public School Facebook Page: “Our ALC students are getting some virtual job experience! The “Big Ideas USA” (www.bigideasusa.org) trailer came to our Central Building and had wonderful staff on hand to help students learn to use virtual welding equipment, paint sprayers, and excavating trucks. What a cool experience for our kids –
April 4, 2022
Big Ideas at the New Ulm Area Career Expo
Today, Big Ideas is at New Ulm Area Career Expo, exposing #careers in #trades!!
March 31, 2022
4-H Welding with Big Ideas
We continued our in-person classes at the CTE Center in New Ulm. Today’s class was welding with 4-H students.
March 19, 2022
Big Ideas Trailer with Russell Tyler Ruthton FFA Chapter
“Big Ideas Mobile Learning Lab Big Ideas Inc brings a new way to explore in-demand, high skilled trades jobs with interactive experience. Over 120 RTR middle and high school students used fully immersive virtual reality systems to introduce welding, industrial painting, CAT excavator and and Oculus based career exploration system housing over 20 trades simulations!”
March 9, 2022
A wonderful donation from Bank Midwest in New Ulm!
This past Monday Big Ideas was grateful to receive a donation from Bank Midwest and their team in New Ulm. Thank you for supporting our mission!
February 18, 2022
Apprenticeships
When it comes to learning a trade skill, there are several options. Many skilled trades paths include an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are different from internships in several ways: 1) Most apprenticeships are between 1-3 years. 2) They are usually structured. 3) It includes a mentorship 4) Apprenticeships are paid positions! 5) They have an industry recognized
February 15, 2022