Blue Valley CAPS

Enjoy the summer break ☀️ 🕶️ ⛱️ ! Sharing the last CAPS Newsletter - May 14, 2026 from the semester...

https://lnkd.in/gXigvGPQ

🐰🧬 Genetics came to life in CAPS Vet Med this semester! 🧬🐰
Through a unique partnership with -City-Hope-Garden, students explored animal genetics by analyzing pedigrees of Holland Lop rabbits, Cosmo, Radar, and Willow. From identifying genotypes to studying six key genes that influence coat color, students dove deep into predicting possible bunny outcomes.
Some traits were tricky to determine without seeing recessive traits appear, so predictions required true scientific thinking and patience!
Fast forward 21 days, and the exciting moment arrived… CAPS Veterinary Medicine students met the NINE adorable kits! 🐾🥕 At just 2½ weeks old, students presented their genetic research to KCHG Director Emma, then compared predictions to the now visible coat colors.
The results? Right on track, with a possible silver tipped steel kit giving us even more clues into the genetics at play!
Learning + real life application + baby bunnies = an unforgettable experience 💛 These sweet kits will be available for adoption in June. Learn more and apply here:
👉🏼 https://kansascityhopegarden.org/rabbits

🐾❤️ From classroom to clinic-level thinking! ❤️🐾 Recently, veterinary cardiologist Dr. Kevin Christiansen visited CAPS Vet Med to share how specializing in cardiology has opened incredible doors in his career. His passion and expertise gave students a real-world look at what’s possible in veterinary medicine.
Students dove into hands-on learning with real cardiology case studies; analyzing echos, EKGs, and radiographs for both dogs and cats. Each student was assigned their own case to research, interpret lab results, diagnose, and develop a treatment plan. 🐶🐱📊 Dr. Christiansen returned to mentor students one-on-one, helping guide their clinical thinking and decision-making. To wrap up the semester, students presented their cases to the class, showcasing strong public speaking skills, scientific research, and the ability to follow the evidence wherever it led.
What an incredible way to bring learning to life! Huge thank you to Dr. Christiansen for inspiring the next generation of veterinary professionals.
👉🏼 https://www.vogalveterinarycardiology.com/

🐝✨ Buzzing into learning at Wolf Springs Elementary! ✨🐝 Yesterday, CAPS Vet Med juniors brought the sweet science of “Honey Bees at Work” to all the 2nd graders at Wolf Springs Elementary (), and wow, did they deliver! 🍯📚
From forager bees to scout bees (and even a few humans and beekeepers!), students jumped right into the action & lived the hive life. The highlight? The 2nd grade teachers showing off their best waggle dance moves, talk about commitment! 💃🐝
A huge thank you to Blue Valley Educational Foundation Women’s Giving Circle “Bee Hopeful” grants for supporting this hands-on experience, and to our amazing partners Kansas City Hope Garden (-City-Hope-Garden) for making it all possible. Learning has never been so fun or so buzzy! 💛

🎬🎨✨ Creativity Takes Center Stage! ✨🎨🎬
CAPS Digital Design & Photography and Filmmaking & Animation students wrapped up the semester with an incredibly creative showcase on Wednesday, May 13 at the Aspiria campus theater! 🎥 Students premiered their films on the big screen while also presenting stunning displays of graphic design, photography, and other original creative work. 🖼️📸 Parents, mentors, and friends came out to celebrate and support these talented artists and storytellers. The future of creative media is bright, and these students are leading the way! 🌟

🌲🚑 Wilderness First Aid Training Adventure! 🚑🌲 CAPS medicine strand juniors had an incredible hands-on learning experience today! 💚🩺 Under the expert guidance of Mr. Whalen, & with support from CAPS healthcare strand instructors Mrs. Boehm, Mrs. Roche, & Mrs. Snodgrass, students dove into essential wilderness first aid skills.
🧠✨ They learned how to:
✅ Assess an unresponsive person
✅ Take vital signs
✅ Splint an extremity
✅ Provide wound care
✅ Treat environmental injuries
…and so much more! 💪⛑️
But the day didn’t stop there! 🐾🌿 Students also had the opportunity to explore the Wilderness Science Center, where they observed, fed, and learned about amazing animals up close. 🦉🐍🐢 A huge thank you to the Gavin Spake at the Wilderness Science Center for hosting such an unforgettable and educational experience! 🌎

👉 CAPS Students Shaping the Future of Healthcare!💙 CAPS Exploring Health Professions 🩺 and CAPS Sports Medicine students wrapped up their semester with their final CAPStone project presentations this week on Monday & Tuesday! 🎓✨
We were thrilled to have some mentors there to support these future healthcare leaders, what a bright future ahead! 🌟🏥
Student groups presented dynamic patient scenarios with detailed care plans, showcasing collaboration across multiple healthcare roles and thoughtful treatment strategies on the road to recovery. 🔬📋➡️❤️‍🩹
Other groups took on powerful, real world topics such as:
🧠 "Anxiety in Adolescents" featuring a meaningful “resource reflection wall”
🎗️ "The Mental Toll of Cancer Beyond Diagnosis"
🚧 "Breaking Barriers: Accessing Teen Mental Health Care"
🌸 "Prevention is Knowledge: Detection of Reproductive Diseases in Women"
and more!
Such an informative, impactful, & inspiring way to finish the semester leaving us excited for the future of healthcare and the difference these students will make. 🌱💙
💙

✨💡 Big ideas. Bold pitches. Future innovators. 💡✨ CAPS Innovation & Entrepreneurship students closed out the semester today with an electrifying "Shark Tank" style showcase, pitching original ideas, apps, and ventures to a panel of industry pros! 🧠💼📱
🔹 Huge thanks to our professional panelists:
Morning: Robert Tipton (Burns & McDonnell, AI & Emerging Tech Leader), Kelsey Downer (Cox Automotive, Sr. Dir. of Product Mgmt.) & Adam Tank (Transcend, COO & Co-Founder)
Afternoon: Adam Tank (Transcend, COO & Co-Founder), Sam Passer (Global Payments, VP) & Kevin Timmons (Nick & Jake's, Partner)
Students delivered confident pitches, innovative solutions, and thoughtful answers under pressure truly showcasing what’s next in entrepreneurship! 🌟

🎬✨ ALL CAPS ENERGY to start the day! ✨🎬 This morning, CAPS students were welcomed with an ALL CAPS debut of a special end-of-year tribute video in the atrium! 💡💫 Created by talented CAPS Digital Design & Photography students Chloe Stone & Sarah Katt, the video set the tone for an inspiring day as students gathered to celebrate the journey. What a way to kick off these final days of the semester, while CAPStone presentations and projects are in full swing! 🎓👏
🎥 And the excitement doesn’t stop there…
This was just a sneak peek of what’s to come at the CAPS Digital Design & Photography + Filmmaking Showcase:
📍 Aspiria Campus (6300 Sprint Parkway, Overland Park)
🗓 Wednesday
⏰ 6–8 PM
Come see the creativity, stories, and hard work come to life! 🌟

🌟🔧 Innovation on Display to Close the Semester! 🔧🌟
CAPS Engineering students wrapped up the semester with an exciting Showcase Night in the atrium! From aerospace concepts and architectural models to robotics, electrical engineering, and creative tech solutions, our future engineers impressed mentors, peers, & families with their work. 💡💻 Congratulations to the students for turning their ideas into reality and a big thank you to the mentors who supported them every step of the way! 🌍 What an incredible way to celebrate a semester of hard work, creativity, and innovation! ✨