Big Ideas News
The Big Ideas Mobile Learning Lab Returns to Riverbend in New Ulm
We returned to Riverbend Education to give the students another chance to explore the trades!
Big Ideas Receives CliftonLarsonAllen Donation
Article from New Ulm Journal NEW ULM — Big Ideas, a New Ulm non-profit group that creates classes to expose student to the building trades, was the recipient of a CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Foundation award of $15,000. Local CLA staff were given a tour of the Big Ideas office and classrooms on South Minnesota Street, Tuesday
Instructor Spotlight: Richard Shaffer
Small Business Owner / Entrepreneur Owner/Operator of a small trade school in Northern MN. Working with Big Ideas to encourage more young people to consider the trades as a profession. Skilled trades people are in high demand in Northern MN as well as nationwide. Also, leveraging my marketing experience and connections to promote Big Ideas
Big Ideas Mobile Learning Lab visit MVAC
Our Mobile Learning Lab was in Mankato, MN to visit MVAC. Interested in booking the trailer? Visit: Our Mobile Learning Lab Page
Big Ideas at the State Fair!
Have you ever seen inside our Mobile Learning Lab? It’s open now at the Minnesota State Fair. Try augmented welding, industrial painting, CAT simulator and more!
Big ideas at the Brown County Fair!
We will be at the Brown County Free Fair Aug. 12th through the 15th. Stop in to see our Mobile Learning Lab and try our hands-on VR learning!
Instructor Spotlight: Myron Wieland
Occupation: Retired Municipal Employee Why do you work with Big Ideas? I enjoy meeting middle school-aged children and exposing them to basic plumbing. These young adults need exposure to the different building trades in order to foster a potential interest. Why do you love the trades? I personally get a strong sense of accomplishment from
Instructor Spotlight : Arco Horton
Occupation: fabricator/welder Why do you work with Big Idea’s? I love teaching my skills to kids and adults who are excited to learn. What is your best experience in Skilled Trades? As a welder I think it’s amazing to build a car completely by hand and watching it go from sheets of steel to a
Instructor Spotlight : Megan Farrand
Occupation: Auto Body Painter Why do you work with Big Idea’s? When I was in high school we did not have many opportunities to explore employment options outside of traditional college. I knew I wanted to work on cars but did not know what area outside of mechanics was available. This program would have
Spot the Careers: Kwik Trip and Big Ideas Building our Future!
Kwik Trip is building a new location in New Ulm. When a new business comes to town, it’s not just the corporation that makes the money. How many careers do you see in these images?
Big Ideas Goes to Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s
We had a great time at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s. Students had the opportunity to use augmented & virtual reality to learn: welding, painting, heavy equipment, and more! 8th grader: “This has made me realize I am good at welding. I think that might me what I want to do as a career.” 10th grader:
Big Ideas hits Texas!
Last week, Big Ideas partnered with Girl with Grit, a Texas based nonprofit, to bring a welding course to the girls in the program. The course was taught by our instructor, Briana Huhn, and covered MIG welding basics along with plasma cutting. The girls were able to learn shop safety and fundamentals of MIG welding,