TriDistrict CAPS

This exciting interdisciplinary course dives into the world where food systems, sustainability, natural resources, and chemistry collide. Co-taught by a chemistry and agriculture teacher, the course explores the science behind growing food, managing natural resources responsibly, and building resilient communities—through the lens of soil, air, and water chemistry.

Through hands-on labs, real-world projects, and field-based learning, students will investigate plant growth, soil health, sustainable natural resource management and agricultural practices, and the impact of agriculture on ecosystems, while emphasizing renewable resources, biodiversity, and conservation. Students will apply chemical principles to explore food science, soil analysis, and responsible environmental stewardship—ultimately becoming changemakers equipped to tackle real-world challenges in their local food systems and natural spaces.

In the second semester, students will engage in an in-depth internship, volunteer placement, or service-learning opportunity with local and regional community partners, connecting classroom learning to meaningful, real-world work and supporting career exploration in fields such as environmental science, agriculture, food systems, and sustainability.

Through mentorship, reflective practice, and applied fieldwork, students will deepen their understanding of course content while developing critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, ultimately gaining a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness between agriculture, chemistry, and the environment and emerging as informed citizens prepared to make responsible choices about food, resources, and their impact on the world.

HEALTHCARE CAREERS & MEDICINE connects students with our partner, Twin Cities Orthopedics, at their facilities in Eagan in their Training Haus location.  This opportunity provides students with a broad view of careers opportunities in healthcare and related fields, including athletic performance. Students have access to real-world experiences and environments, and engage with healthcare partners and mentors in authentic projects and scenarios to broaden exposure and deepen interest and awareness of the field.

TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGIES is an excellent fit for students interested in exploring all aspects of the diverse and dynamic fields within the transportation industry. Students will learn about the business, technical, logistics and human resources sides of multiple sectors within the industry. Hosted onsite by partner North American Trailer, this course takes advantage of the SE Metro’s role as a business and transportation hub for the Twin Cities and beyond.

BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP is an opportunity for students to develop a broad understanding of the various careers in the world of business.  Areas such as sales, marketing, administration, finance, and others will be introduced to students, and a variety of partner projects will allow students to dig deeper into areas of interest.  Students will also learn what is meant by an “entrepreneurial mindset” and interact with area entrepreneurs. Evolve Workplace, a local co-working space located in West St. Paul, hosts this course.

COMPUTER SCIENCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY is an opportunity for students to develop the professional skills and the technical knowledge required to forge forward in exploring multiple areas of information technology, computer science, and the affiliated fields that drive the IT/CS industry.  Explore the following areas as they relate to PCs and mobile devices: software engineering, web development, operating systems, hardware technologies, network design/technologies, management information systems and emerging technologies. Discrete and applied mathematics topics will be embedded in the course. Students who successfully complete this course will earn HS credits for  and AP Computer Science Principles, and have the opportunity to take the AP exams in both.