Two schools in Dallas County were recently recognized from Iowa Workforce Development for creating innovative projects.

According to Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Department of Education, DeSoto Intermediate and Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Middle School were named winners of the Build Iowa’s Future Design Challenge. DeSoto Intermediate was selected in the elementary school division, while ADM Middle School won in the middle school division. The awards give students in kindergarten to 12th grade the opportunity to create innovative projects, connect to rewarding careers and compete for up to $1,000 awards for their schools. 

The organization states that elementary and middle school students constructed a model home using toy plastic construction bricks, wood blocks, or other materials and making the case for why it would be a great place to live. DeSoto Intermediate won for their project “Christmas Cabin,” led by Teacher Ashlee Nichols and ADM Middle School won with their self-titled project led by Teacher Jon Markus.