Orbis

07/30/2026

Looking for fresh insights to tackle those "back-burner" projects?

The student innovators in our Ankeny Orbis Project-Based Experience class are ready to collaborate on real-world challenges for the upcoming semester! Whether you have a short-term design challenge or a long-term, complex project, our students are ready to dive deep, gather data, build prototypes, and present actionable solutions.1

We offer two ways to partner with us:

🔹 Case Study Partner (1–3 weeks): Perfect for short-term challenges focused on design thinking.

🔹 Project Partner (6+ weeks): A deep-dive experience to create, test, and refine tangible solutions.

We are looking for authentic, complex problems that don't have one clear solution—so bring us your biggest challenges!1

Ready to team up? Please complete our Project Discovery Form by August 28, 2026.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-3sypKMISR1X0EnohmcY5EAWDS8MktdHTaUNkZD3nUdTufw/viewform

Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Let’s innovate together!

Please complete this form if you have an idea for an Orbis project. Once submitted, one of our Project Mentors, will reach out to you to schedule a time to discuss your proposal in greater detail. If you have any questions please contact [email protected].

07/01/2026

Looking to mentor the next generation of business leaders right here in Ankeny? 💼✨

We have a fantastic opportunity for a local business or accounting firm in the Ankeny area to host a high school intern for the upcoming Fall 2026 semester!
The student will be a rising senior at Ankeny Centennial High School, possesses a strong curiosity around accounting, and is eager to gain hands-on experience in the business world. Hosting an intern is a great way to give back to the community, bring fresh energy into your office, and help shape a local student's future career path.

If your business is interested, or if you'd like to learn more about our school's Internship program details and requirements, please reach out to [email protected]. Let’s connect and chat about how this partnership can benefit your team.

05/12/2026

🎓 Attention Ankeny Parents & High Schoolers: 4 Full Scholarships Remaining!

Looking for an incredible (and free!) way to boost a student's leadership skills and college resume this summer?

The Iowa Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) has extended its application deadline to May 31st, and there is still funding available to send 4 more Ankeny students on a full scholarship!

What is RYLA?
It’s a high-energy, 6-day leadership conference held at Grinnell College. Students from across Iowa come together to build confidence, solve problems, and find their leadership style.

Who: Current 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students.

When: July 26 – 31, 2026.

Cost: FREE. Local Ankeny Rotary Clubs are covering the $530 tuition for selected students.

Where: Grinnell College.

These final spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you know a student who would be a great fit, encourage them to apply today!

👉 Apply at: www.iowaryla.org

04/27/2026

Attention Students!

DMACC’s Ankeny campus is hosting a FREE summer camp that combines CSI skills and AI:

When: July 13–16, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: DMACC Ankeny Campus, 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023
Who: Incoming 9th grade through newly graduated 12th grade students
Bonus: Students can earn 1 DMACC credit!

To Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6dMpIoCfX2Qf3bXBplU7JHl3c1EnQKUuqrU2W2lDWySY74Q/viewform

04/09/2026

What do Community State Bank, Baker Group, Snyder & Associates, Keen Project Solutions, and Ankeny Community School District Office all have in common? 🤔

Orbis Workforce Tours! 🚌💨

In just one day, our students stepped inside the engines of local industry to see what happens "beyond the surface." From finance and engineering to construction and education administration, these tours provide a front-row seat to the careers of tomorrow.

A massive THANK YOU to our incredible partners for opening their doors and investing in the next generation:
🔹 Baker Group – Shoutout to Dave Brown, HCI, sHRBP
🔹 Snyder & Associates, Inc. – Thanks, Katie Wade!
🔹 Community State Bank – Appreciate you, Jessi (Steward) McQuerrey McQuerrey
🔹 Keen Project Solutions – High-five to Brandy Easton
🔹 Ankeny Schools District Office – Thanks to Mike Maddalozzo, MBA Maddalozzo, Samantha Aukes, and Scott Litchfield and Teams

03/23/2026

Attention High School Students: Consider the Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective with the Greater Des Moines Partnership this summer!

You will have a chance to build confidence and explore future career pathways through hands-on learning and real-world professional experiences.

Over six weeks between June and July, participants will:
- Develop professional communication and networking skills
- Connect with regional employers
- Learn personal finance and goal-setting strategies
- Gain experience with interview preparation and workplace communication

Students also receive a stipend for the sessions they attend.

For more information and to register visit:

The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective is a community-driven, career development program to prepare youth for the future of work.

03/11/2026

It's Rising Tides Day at Orbis! Excited to see the connections and opportunities that result from the conversations that take place today between students and community members. Ankeny Community School Lisa Even

03/02/2026

You never know how sharing your story might impact a student's journey! Join us for our Ankeny Orbis Rising Tides Networking Event on March 11th, where we bring professionals and students together for meaningful conversations, connections, and career exploration. Join us for one or multiple time slots.

8:30 - 9:40 AM
10:10 - 11:15 AM
2:25 - 3:30 PM

Your experiences and insights make a tremendous impact as students explore career pathways, practice professional communication, and build confidence in networking.

Please RSVP for the Rising Tides event here: https://lnkd.in/ggXY8WVj

02/05/2026

Learn more about Career Opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing by attending this upcoming event at Accumold! The evening is designed for both students and parents.

Thursday, February 12, 2026
5:30 - 7:00 PM
1711 SE Oralabor Rd., Ankeny, IA 50021

WHAT TO EXPECT:
• Tour our state-of-the-art Accumold facility
• Learn about scholarship opportunities for DMACC students 💲
• Meet the Accumold team and explore career pathways
• Pizza dinner provided 🍕
• Accumold Scholars + DMACC = Your Future

RSVP to Meaghan or Stuart by Friday, February 6!
515-964-5741
[email protected]

02/04/2026

We built this city…with Legos. Lego Scrum workshop to build our project management skills.