A Story of Grit

By Matthew Lynn, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

When I first started here at One Stone, I would say that I was extremely nervous about being somewhere new, uncomfortable, and so drastically different from how I had been homeschooled the rest of my life. One Stone wasn’t entirely new to me. The year prior to being accepted into One Stone’s high school, I had been attending Project Good on and off, being there as much as I was able. Project Good is an after-school program that any high school student in the Treasure Valley can participate in. During that year of Project Good, I had the opportunity to work with teens struggling with mental health. Alongside the rest of my team, we ended up creating a small break room in a project called “A Shatter that Matters.” This was a space where teens could come and break everyday objects such as plates, glasses, vases, and other such items. But that whole year in Project Good, I never really found the ability to step up and be a leader. I was just going along with the flow of things and doing what I could to work with my team. That year in Project Good was really what I needed to make the decision to apply to One Stone.

In September of 2022, I had my first day of school. I had been homeschooled up until this year, and while One Stone’s teaching and learning methods were not entirely new, they were still very different from anything I had done before. After my first couple of weeks here, I had only just started grasping what it meant for my learning to be led by me. During October, all of the incoming students were split into groups to then come together later in the month and plan a Halloween event using One Stone’s design thinking process. The challenge of creating an event like this was coordinating a group of 25 or so people who were all so new to this and all had so many different ideas. The process was difficult, and there were times when I didn’t want to be doing it, but at the same time, I was doing more with my team, participating, and even starting to lead a little bit.

Over the rest of that school year, I started exploring my passions more deeply than before and trying to incorporate them into my learning. I took a few learning experiences and workshops that had to do with photography or podcasting, and from those, I learned a lot about self-management. Looking back, I grew more than I gave myself credit for during that first year.

While  reflecting on writing this story, I came across this quote from first portfolio presentation at One Stone:

“I believe that I have learned and grown a lot in empathy from Project Good and XLab. Some examples of how I’ve grown are learning to empathize with young kids and their parents. I have also grown in grit by not giving up when things were hard or stressful. For example, with the Nightmare Before Halloween event I put on with the rest of XLab, we had a lot of stuff go wrong or something happened, and at some points we wanted to give up on it, but we stuck with it, and it turned out great.” 

Now, in my final year here at One Stone, I can say that I know how to lead, I can empathize, and most of all, I haven’t given up. That last one is really important. I haven’t given up, but instead, I’ve taken control of my learning, incorporated my passions into my work, discovered new passions, and continued to learn and grow alongside my peers. Things haven’t been easy in any sense of the word, but I have kept going. If nothing else, this is a story of grit and perseverance.In the spring of 2023, I went on my first spring trip, which is an annual One Stone trip that allows students to connect and grow in nature. I chose to go on a 14-mile backpacking trip, even though I had never been backpacking. It was both physically and mentally challenging, and took grit and persistence to hike in the hot sun all day. But those hard and negative aspects didn’t seem to affect me as much with the amount of joy and connection I experienced. I spent the entire day talking with my peers and coaches, making new connections, and so many fun memories. I realized that the trip was exactly what I needed to feel more refreshed and more connected with the people around me. I learned more about myself and others and was able to recharge and experience mindfulness, while setting the stage for a mindset of growth.

In my second year, I challenged myself to step further out of my comfort zone. I did a Model Arab League conference for the first time, despite my fear of public speaking. Representing a country in a professional, fast-paced environment with older, more experienced students was intimidating, but within the very first session, so many people approached me, welcomed me, and helped me to feel more comfortable. I had to develop skills in debate, critical thinking, and communication to collaborate on world issues and current events. Although it was unfamiliar and scary, by putting myself into this setting it has helped me build confidence and learn valuable skills, while gaining new perspectives. I left the conference feeling empowered because I embraced the challenge and have grown through the experience.

This year, I decided to focus on exploring a long-time interest of mine—science. When a six week fast-paced chemistry experience was offered and coached by a chemist, Molliann, I was so excited, even though I had no background in the subject. We did a new experiment each day, and initially I was overwhelmed by the new concepts that were challenging for me to understand. I put a lot of effort into taking detailed notes and observations, and committed myself to doing research to understand the experiments. Overtime I began to adapt to the learning pace and manage my time efficiently to make sure I felt more confident in my understanding of the basics of chemistry. I loved the amount of engaging hands-on experiments we did, my favorite being an E. coli transformation where we introduced a fluorescent gene into the DNA of E. coli. This experience not only sparked a passion for chemistry but also strengthened my scientific inquiry and curiosity skills. It showed me that by putting in the effort and taking ownership of my learning, I can develop valuable skills and grow in new ways.

Through consistently embracing challenging opportunities like backpacking, Model Arab League, and chemistry, I not only discovered new passions but also built the confidence to tackle challenges and explore possibilities that once scared me. Managing and taking charge of my growth through each of these experiences has pushed me to face my fears, try new things, and develop a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. I learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than failures. By diving into my curiosities and practicing grit and vulnerability, I have learned to value growth and strive to keep learning.

Learn more about how academic excellence at One Stone’s high school means challenging students to try new things, embrace the fear of failure, and ultimately thrive in rigorous learning and professional environments.

Embracing New Experiences

By Maggie Lindsay, Class of 2026

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

At the start of my One Stone journey, vulnerability was my biggest fear. I struggled with putting myself out there. Even though this was a big fear of mine, I still had a strong desire to grow and take risks. I wanted to practice overcoming my fears, so I pushed myself to explore new experiences. During my first year, it was hard for me to define my passions, so I decided to explore a wide range of new interests like photography and backpacking. These past few years at One Stone have given me many opportunities to dive into new experiences and fill my schedule with not only my passions, but things that I want to try and learn about.

In the spring of 2023, I went on my first spring trip, which is an annual One Stone trip that allows students to connect and grow in nature. I chose to go on a 14-mile backpacking trip, even though I had never been backpacking. It was both physically and mentally challenging, and took grit and persistence to hike in the hot sun all day. But those hard and negative aspects didn’t seem to affect me as much with the amount of joy and connection I experienced. I spent the entire day talking with my peers and coaches, making new connections, and so many fun memories. I realized that the trip was exactly what I needed to feel more refreshed and more connected with the people around me. I learned more about myself and others and was able to recharge and experience mindfulness, while setting the stage for a mindset of growth.

In my second year, I challenged myself to step further out of my comfort zone. I did a Model Arab League conference for the first time, despite my fear of public speaking. Representing a country in a professional, fast-paced environment with older, more experienced students was intimidating, but within the very first session, so many people approached me, welcomed me, and helped me to feel more comfortable. I had to develop skills in debate, critical thinking, and communication to collaborate on world issues and current events. Although it was unfamiliar and scary, by putting myself into this setting it has helped me build confidence and learn valuable skills, while gaining new perspectives. I left the conference feeling empowered because I embraced the challenge and have grown through the experience.

This year, I decided to focus on exploring a long-time interest of mine—science. When a six week fast-paced chemistry experience was offered and coached by a chemist, Molliann, I was so excited, even though I had no background in the subject. We did a new experiment each day, and initially I was overwhelmed by the new concepts that were challenging for me to understand. I put a lot of effort into taking detailed notes and observations, and committed myself to doing research to understand the experiments. Overtime I began to adapt to the learning pace and manage my time efficiently to make sure I felt more confident in my understanding of the basics of chemistry. I loved the amount of engaging hands-on experiments we did, my favorite being an E. coli transformation where we introduced a fluorescent gene into the DNA of E. coli. This experience not only sparked a passion for chemistry but also strengthened my scientific inquiry and curiosity skills. It showed me that by putting in the effort and taking ownership of my learning, I can develop valuable skills and grow in new ways.

Through consistently embracing challenging opportunities like backpacking, Model Arab League, and chemistry, I not only discovered new passions but also built the confidence to tackle challenges and explore possibilities that once scared me. Managing and taking charge of my growth through each of these experiences has pushed me to face my fears, try new things, and develop a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. I learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than failures. By diving into my curiosities and practicing grit and vulnerability, I have learned to value growth and strive to keep learning.

Learn more about how academic excellence at One Stone’s high school means challenging students to try new things, embrace the fear of failure, and ultimately thrive in rigorous learning and professional environments.

Motivation

By Finn Gerhardt, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Desire. A desire for the pinnacle. The kind of desire to summit, to constantly climb the endless ladder with the vision of achieving something—yet that something is never clearly defined. It’s always just... something. Something great. Something to improve another something. Something that grows into something else in order to achieve yet another something. And this "something" is tied to only one major entity: myself.

My name is Finn Gerhardt. I’m an overly organized, poetic, anxious, empathetic, studious-yet-messy, pasta-with-red-sauce-loving guy. My journey has taken me all over the place, but through it all, it’s landed me right here. Today, I stand grounded by a steady structure of roots built on a desire for growth.

These roots have always been there—sometimes subconscious, sometimes hidden deep within my soul—but this past summer, they grew to a point of visibility. In June, I participated in a volunteer opportunity with the Idaho Conservation Corps, a program that educates workers about the conservation of public lands, invasive species, and professional work ethic. My group primarily focused on tree mulching, a process based on the idea that trees “breathe” better when a shallow ring is dug around their base and filled with bark, allowing for more direct airflow to their roots.

We worked long hours in the 90-degree heat, dressed in long-sleeved clothing, digging and hauling heavy wheelbarrows to dump sod into trailers. Needless to say, the work was strenuous. Yet, amid all of this, I realized something important. Each night, I would come home exhausted and sore, but I also felt astonishingly good.

This was confusing to me. Physically, I was drained. But mentally, I was thriving. I felt grit and strength that dazzled me, leaving me wanting to do more. After some reflection, I realized the reason: I was putting in my full effort and seeing the tangible results of my work right in front of me. The tedious, underwhelming tree rings became something polished and complete. The immense feeling of success that came from accomplishing such a difficult task was deeply satisfying.

Because of this, I found myself returning each day with even more determination. My desire to work harder and push myself grew with every passing day. Soon, I watched this newfound energy spill over into other areas of my life. It was astounding. Motivation, a desire for success, confidence in myself, and the natural dopamine of achievement all unfolded before my eyes.

Procrastination began to fade away, and the visibility of my potential slowly emerged from the thick fog. One of the most impactful things One Stone has done for me is provide support throughout this journey while also reinforcing my growth. Whether encouraging me to take risks or helping me develop attainable goals, this experience has taught me how to ignite the initial spark that fuels the fire.

That fire is the feeling of accomplishment—a reward so often greater than the energy it takes to achieve it.

Now, as I reflect, I see an opportunity in front of me. An opportunity for mentorship: to inspire others with the knowledge I’ve gained from my own experiences. It would be an honor.

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school is designed to help students develop internal motivation, ownership, and responsibility over their learning and their lives.

CNC Reality

By Louie DePhillips, Class of 2026

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

At the end of my first year at One Stone, I took part in a machining experience. This was the first time I truly led my own learning. The experience centered around using the CNC machine in One Stone's Foundry to create anything you wanted within reason. I decided I wanted to make a "robot arm." 

To prototype and design my robot, I downloaded a software called Fusion 360. This software became the backbone of my project. While I had dabbled with it before, I was by no means experienced. After a few days of trying different things and tinkering around in the software, I felt lost. I didn’t think I could learn quickly enough to make a final product.

That realization led me to talk to the Foundry lead and the coach for the experience, Sam Johnson. He understood where I was coming from and had a possible solution. He mentioned that one of his friends, Dan Beyer, was a Fusion 360 genius. Dan had been using it for years and was highly skilled. Sam offered to email him for me. A few days later, Dan responded and said he’d be happy to come in for a session and show me some of the basics.

That was great news for me. A few days later, Dan came in with his computer and spent two hours walking me through Fusion. He taught me the basics and showed me several useful techniques that made the software much easier to navigate. It was exactly what I needed, and by the end of the session, I felt much more confident in my ability to move forward with my design.

Once he left, I immediately started designing. My first designs were pretty rough, but as I kept working on them and making adjustments, they started to improve. With each iteration, the process became more intuitive, and I began to understand everything better.

As my designs were good enough, I began using the laser cutter. I had to learn how to convert my 3D files into PDFs so I could cut them to scale for my project. After wasting a lot of wood and acrylic, I started to get the hang of it. This led me to order electronics, such as servos, potentiometers, buttons, and Arduinos, so that I could control the arm. I then began measuring and incorporating these pieces into my designs, which brought its own set of challenges.

I want to say I made about five or six variations of each piece, improving them every time. But as the experience was coming to an end, I wasn’t able to cut out my final pieces. But I’m alright with that. The process of figuring out the design and working through challenges was rewarding enough. This experience showed me how much I can really drive my own learning and gave me a better sense of how much flexibility I have when it comes to my education. Even if I didn’t finish the final product, I gained many skills that have and will help me with future projects.

Learn more about how the One Stone high school provides students with opportunities and resources to develop important technical and trades skills as designers, engineers, builders, artists, and storytellers.

I Love STEM Because I Care about People

By Nora Smart, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Last year I spoke on this same stage about my journey within One Stone as I’ve gained the confidence to be an empowered woman in STEM. Since then, I have engaged in a chemistry experience with an expert in biomimicry, been a summer intern with Forsgren Associates—a civil engineering firm, and applied to 14 colleges—planning to pursue a major in biomedical engineering. At One Stone, we talk about exploring passions, growing relevant real-world skills, and making a difference. Throughout my almost four years in this space, I’ve done a lot of self exploration and reflection. I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone and into the uncomfortable. I’ve learned to question why I do what I do, I’ve been challenged to understand what values and passions truly drive me, and I’ve been a part of opportunities that have empowered me to create, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to the world around me. In doing this, I’ve found not only my voice, but my Why. My “Why Statement” is to observe nuances and complexities so that the intricacies of other people are seen and appreciated.

I now know that I love STEM because I care about people. 

I deeply value the humans I surround myself with, and this understanding will continue to drive me as I develop my professional identity as an engineer. Engineering is about so much more than excellence in technical skills—it is a relational, human endeavour. To me, being relational within engineering means engaging in the communities we’re contributing to and collaborating with a diverse group of perspectives and knowledge. Engineering isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about considering the nuances and complexities of how we are impacting and relating to people, communities, and the environment.

I am committed to innovating at the intersection of technical knowledge and societal and environmental consequences. And I care deeply about solving problems in which people are the priority. 

I’ve been able to discover and capitalize on my why, my voice, and my confidence through the relationships, experiences, and challenges that I’ve engaged and dug into at One Stone. My voice which is rooted in a belief in myself will guide my growth into the future. 

Learn more about how the One Stone high school empowers students with the excellent academic opportunities and resources to pursue real-world STEM projects, internships, and careers by learning from a team of passionate STEM professionals, visiting professors, local businesses, and industry experts.

From Passions into Learning Experiences

By Avary Partin, Class of 2028

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

At the beginning of my journey at One Stone, I wasn't very confident in my skills and communication at all. I had almost never worked in a team before One Stone, and I didnt have a very good relationship with my peers in my old school. I was really nervous to see fellow students at all, let alone work with them. It was a new, unique, and unfamiliar experience, filled with challenges and fears, but I'm happy I persevered through. The first few days were filled with uncertainty. If I'm honest, it didn't feel like school at all. But, throughout all of this uncertainty, I was looking forward to one thing: Learning Experiences starting. Once I saw the option for a global warming experience, I jumped at the opportunity to join it. NOTE: At One Stone, we don’t have “classes” because students don’t sit in rows, we don’t raise our hands to speak, and we don’t ask permission to go to the bathroom. We believe learning is an experience that happens everywhere, and we are trying to change the perception of what school even is.

I was always interested in global warming, and I was extremely excited to learn more about it and discuss my opinions and beliefs about it. About half way through this experience, we were assigned the project to make a model for the Boise WaterShed. We had to choose a problem relating to global warming, and I chose natural disasters. I got grouped into a team with two of my peers, and I was extremely nervous in the beginning. My team and I began researching which natural disasters are affected by global warming and found the most connections in earthquakes. Global warming has been increasing precipitation in the world, and we found some evidence behind seismic activity being affected by precipitation. I thought this was good evidence, so I presented it to our group as important information to include in our model. 

After our research, we began brainstorming about how we could construct a model. We wanted a shake table for our model, but shake plates are extremely expensive and way outside our budget. We brainstormed many different ideas, but, in the end, we decided that instead of purchasing a fancy shake table, we would have the participants in our activity shake the table instead. This way, it was not only easier but more interactive and fun. After solving this problem, we began constructing our model. We used cardboard, popsicle sticks, and lots of hot glue to slowly piece it together. About half way through was when we encountered a second problem. We wanted people to make a house for our model that they could then shake on our table to see if their house would survive an earthquake, but we had trouble figuring out what they would build the house out of. First, we thought of using Jenga, but I thought the kids wouldn't want to build the tower at all. We then thought of legos but realized they were way too grippy and wouldn’t fall apart. Lincoln Logs could have worked, but they were pretty expensive.  Finally, we thought of using magnet-tiles. They were just strong enough to stay together and just weak enough to fall apart. They were also toys that were appealing to our targeted age demographic. With that, we had finished our model.

It was finally time to go test our model at the Boise WaterShed. We set it up on a small outdoor table and watched as kids came by to try our model. Overall, it went great! Our model was extremely successful, and all of the kids enjoyed it. I was really happy with the results!

During this learning experience, I think I grew a lot in my brainstorming skills, and it was the first time here I felt confident enough to throw out ideas and come up with solutions in a group.  I'm really grateful for the opportunity this experience gave me to grow. It was a ton of fun, and I could rant on and on about how much I enjoyed working and creating with my team!

Learn more about how One Stone’s high school empowers students to learn and develop relevant skills by working to solve real world problems.

Learning to Reach For the Stars

By Ezra Wingrove, Class of 2026

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

I have always been a hands-on learner. Since I started asking questions when I was a toddler, I wanted people to show me how something worked and let me fiddle with it, rather than just tell me. In my previous schools, that wasn’t how learning worked. There were infinite amounts of essays to write and videos to watch but never experiments to do, never actually getting to figure it out. There was always ‘watch this cartoon video about water based energy then write a 3-paragraph essay explaining how it works,’ but it was all theoretical. There was never anything in my hands, so I never truly understood what I was taught. Teachers didn’t like me because I asked too many questions, was too curious, wanted to go see and touch the thing we were talking about. So, when I got to One Stone, I didn’t necessarily have high hopes to learn in the way I needed.

I was so surprised. One Stone embraced my way of learning. There were always field trips or site visits, and we always got to do experiments and fiddle with random things just to see how it was put together. Since my very first day, when we built stomp rockets, it’s all been hands-on, and I’ve had a great time. For three years now, I’ve been gaining confidence and curiosity to learn about new and random things I hadn’t thought about before. I learned more about my interests, found even more, and even re-sparked a few passions I had long since abandoned because of my middle school’s strict and boring lessons. I was thriving, and I still am.

Recently, I applied to something called ISAS. It stands for Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars, and it’s for Idaho high school juniors to learn about space and NASA and get a standing in a possible career that they love. I love space; it’s just so beautiful, bright, and never ending. I thrive under the stars, just staring at the moon for hours and thinking about what could possibly be up there. Reading about the next eclipse or the recent rocket launch makes my day. So, when I heard about this opportunity, I applied without hesitation. It’s an online course to learn all of the basics, then the top 80 students move forward to work with BSU and go even further. There is also an opportunity to go on a simulated Mars mission depending on your performance and interest! I applied back in April, and all while doing school, work, and reading up on all of the satellites and rovers different space agencies have made, I waited. I would hear back in November. 

And on November 18th and 9:10 am, I almost started crying. I got in. I actually did it; I got into the program that would lead my adventures learning about space and everything that goes on in the universe. This could be the beginning of a career doing research on the stars and building rovers to collect rocks for us on different planets.

I don’t think I would have even applied if I wasn't at One Stone, because they gave me the leadership and confidence to reach for the stars (both figuratively and literally) and go for what I love, rather than settling for what’s easy. These past three years have been life changing, and I would have never learned how to wrangle my fears and take the leap if it wasn’t for One Stone.

Learn more about how the One Stone high school provides students with a wide variety of hands-on, project-based learning opportunities that are engaging, rigorous, and relevant to the student’s goals, interests, and to the their futures.

A Yellowstone Summer

By Ella Cornett, Class of 2025

This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.

Clothes, souvenirs, and shards of glass littered the grass next to the highway, leading to the trunk of an SUV. The vehicle had veered across traffic and rolled off the road. A clear picture was sculpted into the car: deformed metal at odd angles, doors ajar, and wheels deeply embedded in the soft ground. The call came over the ambulance radio as a four-person vehicle rollover with one severely injured patient. As we arrived on scene, I saw three people standing along the roadside. 

It was my second day of my Summer Experience as an intern with the Yellowstone Emergency Medical Services. Summer Experience is an opportunity to pursue our passions and possible career interests in the real world. Waves of disbelief and anticipation rolled through me as we exited the ambulance. I rounded the corner of the dilapidated car and laid eyes on our patient. I couldn’t believe it was real. A medic instructed me to set up the blood pressure cuff, so I did, carefully manning the monitor as paramedics treated our patient’s injuries. We loaded the patient into our ambulance, ready to meet a helicopter transport team in a neighboring valley. The short time I spent in Yellowstone National Park, unexpectedly altered my trajectory; awakening an unknown, unexplored passion for emergency medicine. 

Prior to my Yellowstone adventure, I earned my Wilderness First Aid certification at One Stone. During this learning experience, I fell in love with learning new skills such as how to splint injuries using t-shirts, administer epinephrine to severely allergic patients, and remove barbed hooks with pieces of string. I left that experience yearning to dig deeper and explore what the emergency medical field had to offer. So, with help from my mentor, Ashlee, I reached out to Yellowstone National Park in pursuit of a summer internship with their Search & Rescue and Emergency Medical Services teams.

I was positive the answer would be, “no.” I was seventeen, had no prior medical experience, and had never met with any park personnel. When my visit was confirmed and my housing was set up in response to my message, I was shocked. Two months later, I packed my bags and drove to the park. I spent nine days lowering volunteer patients off the roof of the Old Faithful Lodge, treating real patients while riding along on ambulances, and rappelling down cliff faces to learn safe rope management practices. I was fascinated, excited to be practicing relevant real-world skills. I left Yellowstone curious and desperately craving more.

Before Yellowstone, I was convinced the medical field was not for me. Both of my parents work in healthcare, and I believed that in order to become my own individual, I had to do something completely different. However, my time in Yellowstone was transformative. I felt at home in the back of the ambulance. I was calm, in control, and present. The people I met became family, and the emergencies I responded to solidified my passion. I loved making a visible difference in the world around me by doing life-saving work. Yellowstone gave me a sense of self, a realization that I can seek a medical career in a way that is authentically mine, without sacrificing my individuality. Inspired by my experience, I am spending this semester at the Idaho Medical Academy, becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). 

I am one of the youngest, most inexperienced members of my cohort. Nerves plague my walk to class. Constantly, I remind myself of the transformational experiences that I’ve had at One Stone and in Yellowstone. I remind myself of how blood got on my gloves while responding to the car crash, how I helped the paramedics move our patient, and how I took patient blood sugars while on our way to the helicopter. I remember that I know Ella Cornett better than anyone else in this world. I know that I want to help people, that I love emergency medicine, and that I have every tool I need to successfully complete EMT school. My passion is authentically mine, and I am using it to propel myself towards the future.

Learn more about how Summer Experience at One Stone’s high school empowers students to find professional work experiences, internships, or volunteer work to help them develop important real-world skills by prototyping and testing future careers.