Students from the Prairie 9th Grade Center and the Alburnett Community School District took flight…figuratively on April 30th at the Eastern Iowa Airport, where they presented innovative solutions to a real-world business challenge posed by Delta Airlines. The event was the culminating experience of the 3DE™ by Junior Achievement program, which connects students with authentic business challenges and equips them with the skills needed for success beyond the classroom.
Held in the Coe College Hangar at the Eastern Iowa Airport, the event brought together students, educators, and community leaders to showcase creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. Delta’s challenge to the students was timely and relevant: “What can Delta do to make the boarding process more enjoyable for passengers?”
Over several weeks, student teams explored airline operations and designed original strategies to enhance the passenger experience. From each school—Alburnett and Prairie High School—two standout teams were selected to pitch their proposals to a distinguished panel of judges, including:
- Jack Harris, President & CEO of Junior Achievement USA® and founder of 3DE™
- Tiffany O’Donnell, Mayor of Cedar Rapids
- Martin Lenss, CEO of the Eastern Iowa Airport
Student representatives from the Prairie 9th Grade Center included Emeri Hill, Jaelyn Sickels, Kennedy Hurlbert, Brynnley Fetzer, Ryker Bennett, Lily Abernathy, and Calvin Noska. Alburnett teams featured Ellie Schrader, Jassey Carter, Kaitlyn Krohse, Isabella Bohl, Myleigh French, Mya Holsinger, and Eaghan Fleshman.
After a series of compelling presentations and insightful Q&A sessions, the team of Ellie Schrader, Jassey Carter, and Kaitlyn Krohse from Alburnett were named the winning group. Their proposal focused on enhancing the boarding area by introducing new seating equipped with retractable desktops and footstools. They also recommended installing tinted windows to reduce glare and create a more relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere for travelers. The team emphasized the return on investment through improved customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
“It was a great opportunity to work on a real-world problem and present our ideas to professionals,” one student shared. “We learned so much about teamwork and communication.”
The event marked the final stage of a complete 3DE™ case cycle, which includes a case launch, in-class coaching, and a culminating pitch experience. It exemplifies Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa’s commitment to fostering real-world skills such as public speaking, problem solving, and career readiness.
Click here to learn more about the 3DE Program.
