page background

Orbis Explorer

Fall 2021

Orbis ExplorerFall 2021

A Current Snapshot of Orbis

The onboarding process for our Innovators consisted of training in Design Thinking and agile project management, as well as each of them taking the Advanced Insights Profile as a way to understand behaviors and motivators. Since the onboarding, they have formed their project teams and are busy solving problems and empathizing with the end-user in mind. Currently, there are approximately forty projects underway. Here is a snapshot of a few of these projects.

Ankeny Packers

Project Provider: Kreg Tool


Problem: How might we reduce or optimize product packaging to maximize product revenue?


For this project, a team of innovators are helping Kreg Tool redesign packaging for one of their existing products. The main goal of this project is to optimize the space in the packaging and ultimately strive to gain more retail space for the product in big box stores. This is a big opportunity for the team to help a large business in the community and to engage in the process of innovation while helping to create successful products. Additionally, the team is able to learn more about the processes professional engineers utilize to create innovative products.

Sharks on the Beech

Project Provider: Ankeny Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)


Problem: How might we plan and improve this year’s student SharkTank event, from previous years?


Since 2020, Ankeny Economic Development Corporation has hosted a student Shark Tank event to help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. The project team has coordinated with Joey Beech (director of AEDC) to set the event date, location, and review the successes of the previous years. Through this project, the team is developing project management, communication, and time management skills. The event will be held on January 17, 2022.

Signs “Fore” Disc Golf

Project Provider: Iowa DNR & Aaron Crabb (engineer at John Deere)


Problem: How might we improve the experience of disc golfers at Big Creek State Park by designing and creating signs to help users better understand the layout of the course and how to navigate it?


Project Goals:


  • Provide disc golfers clarity on how to navigate the course to improve their experience

  • Design and create professional-looking signage throughout the course

  • Inspire more people to get into disc golfing


This team is working with Aaron Crabb (avid disc golfer) and the Iowa DNR to design and create new signs for Big Creek State Park’s disc golf course to help disc golfers have the best experience possible on the course. They are utilizing drone images of the course and walking the course to experience it firsthand as they create signs that accurately depict the course, and then designing the signs utilizing Adobe InDesign.

Innovator Spotlight

Annual Reports and Alumni Data

Click here to view our 2020-21 Orbis Annual Report.


In a recent survey of our Orbis alumni, respondents referenced the role of Orbis in strengthening their skills in the following areas, helping them be more prepared for their post-secondary paths:

  • Belief in self

  • Problem-solving skills

  • Collaboration and communication skills

  • Leadership skills

How You Can Get Involved:

  • Project Provider: Do you have a project idea or problem to solve? Click here to access our Project Discovery Form.

  • Workforce Expert: We are always looking for people to serve as “workforce experts,” folks who are willing to meet with Innovators upon request when they are seeking information or guidance specific to their project area.

  • Innovator Coach: If you are interested in serving as a 1:1 coach for an Innovator who is seeking to strengthen their skills in leadership, problem-solving, and communication, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

  • Host a tour: We are always looking for organizations who are interested in opening their doors for a formal tour, sharing the career opportunities and mission.

  • Provide meeting space: If you have meeting space available, we periodically like to get our Innovators out to see different places and meet in different environments.

  • Mock Interviews: We have received positive feedback on this summative semester event, speed-dating style, held at the end of each semester. Consider signing up with your colleagues in whatever time commitment works for you - anywhere from one hour to a full day.

  • Internship Supervisor: If your organization is interested in designing an internship opportunity where an individual student works for you over the course of a semester, let us know. Depending on the student’s schedule and the scope of the internship, the time commitment ranges from 5-25 hours per week.


Contact us if any of these options sound intriguing to you! We would love to partner with you.

Podcast: Check it out!

One of our project teams is partnering with our superintendent, Dr. Pruitt, to create a podcast series for the purpose of transparency with our stakeholders. The first podcast provides an overview of Orbis by four of our Innovators. Check out the Jag-Hawk Talk!

https://youtu.be/C6Qo_WU3qRA