By Eric Erickson
3DE: “three-dimensional education”
The class of 2028 commenced their high school journey on Sept. 3. The next four years of their lives will be a time of growth and change for everyone. But one common bond for each ninth-grade student within Como will be their experiential learning through “three-dimensional education,” or 3DE.
Junior Achievement has been a partner connecting businesses to schools for decades. But the comprehensive four-year 3DE program, created by Junior Achievement, has been a game changer in several urban districts across the country since its inception in 2015. And now 3DE has come to St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS).
Como Park and Washington Technology Magnet are the first to launch the initiative. The funding from Junior Achievement is secure and guaranteed for years to come. SPPS has made its commitment clear. And the Como administration has prepared a schedule for successful implementation.
All freshman will be involved in case studies with business industry partners through their Freshman Focus class.
Le’Shon Archie will be serving as Como’s 3DE Implementation Lead, guiding daily operations for the ninth-grade team and coordinating the business professionals who will work in the classrooms with students.
Archie was an English and reading teacher at Johnson High School for 15 years, experience that gives her a rich familiarity with SPPS students. Based on her trainings and observations of 3DE, she is excited for Como’s freshmen and their future.
“We are trying to connect what students are experiencing in high school with the real world,” Archie said.
To make that happen, local and national businesses will bring case studies and appropriately scaffolded resources to the Freshman Focus classrooms. This year’s business partners include Blaze Credit Union, Ramsey County, API Construction and Engineering, Thrivent Financial, Arby’s Restaurants and Delta Air Lines.
To help ensure the cases are relevant and delivered in an accessible, student-friendly manner, Emily Punyko is serving as the 3DE case experience director for Como and Washington. Punyko was a math teacher and work-based learning coordinator for 10 years in SPPS before taking this new role.
“3DE is relevant, authentic and experiential,” Punyko said. “The goal is to have students explore and experiment with the kind of things they want to do with their lives.”
From this point forward, every Como freshman class will have that opportunity. 3DE at Como will be adding another grade level one year at a time, eventually becoming a school-wide program.
Eric Erickson is a social studies teacher at Como Park Senior High School and a Bugle freelance writer.
Photo credit: Junior Achievement’s 3DE program (standing for three-dimensional education) has arrived to serve students at Como. Photo by Eric Erickson.
