Expand entrepreneurship and internship opportunities across the curriculum

Written by Matthew Manacek ‘25 and Kobun Lien ‘26

A priority in Future Focus is to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world Breck students will enter into by creating new, authentic learning experiences and expanding entrepreneurship and internship opportunities across the curriculum. Under the leadership of Innovation Specialist Catherine Pearson and Director of Facilities Mike Thorson, we participated in a May Program internship this spring focused on Breck’s Comprehensive Site Plan and opportunities to develop Breck’s campus.

Throughout this internship program, we met with key figures involved in the development of the Comprehensive Site Plan, including Head of School Dr. Natalia Hernández, land use attorney Megan Rogers ‘01, and architects and civil engineers from the Minneapolis-based firm HGA. We were involved in planning Breck’s messaging about the Comprehensive Site Plan, which was communicated during a Golden Valley neighborhood meeting on May 27. We learned the site plan prioritizes academic programming, environmental conservation and the safety of students on and around our campus. We learned that Breck plays an important role in the North Tyrol neighborhood and we have a responsibility to our neighbors and community.

Additionally, we were responsible for designing the prototype for an improved maker education model in the Lower School, an initiative made possible by generous donors. This design sprint helped us to appreciate the considerations that must be made to reconcile improvements to the campus and student experience within the constraints of a set budget. 

After several rounds of empathy interviews to better understand the needs of the Lower School faculty and students, we pitched our idea: Mustang Makers. The program will blend STEM and creativity to support Lower School students in pursuing their passions and using their imagination. In Fall 2025, Lower School classes will be able to utilize mobile carts and new, collaborative work spaces that contain materials for making and innovation with a particular focus on computer science and programming.

Throughout the May Program, we immersed ourselves in the logistical side of Breck’s plans for the future, developing an understanding of wetland conservation, philanthropy, budgeting, and many more important considerations that come with the transformations we hope to see on our campus. Looking ahead, bringing a greater understanding of the Comprehensive Site Plan to the student body will continue to provide a unique opportunity to engage students and promote experiential learning throughout the curriculum.